Geek Hard Archives - Geek Hard

Originally Aired: 10/27/17 – A look back at the 2017 Toronto After Dark Film Festival. Talk with Liam O’Donnell of Beyond Skyline & with Dr. Janina Scarlet

We talk with director Liam O’Donnell. Liam joined us from Jakarta where he was attending the premiere of his film Beyond Skyline his followup film to Skyline (2010). Synopsis: When the population of Los Angeles is vacuumed off the face of the earth, Detective Mark Corley storms his way onto an alien ship to rescue his estranged son. But after crashing the ship in Southeast Asia, he must forge an alliance with a band of survivors to discover the key to saving his son and taking back the planet once and for all.

Our look back at the 12th Annual Toronto After Dark Film Festival, 9 nights of horror and genre films that just ended off last week. Which movies were winners and which were hard to sit through?  We take a look back at the films of the fest including Best Short Film, Most Surprising Film and of course Best of the Fest. With 19 feature films and 29 short films there is a lot to choose from. Another successful year for this great film festival.

We also talk with author and therapist Dr. Janina Scarlet. Author of Superhero Therapy and Harry Potter Therapy, Janina uses the concepts and tropes of superhero stories and incorporates them into evidence-based therapy. She’ll be on to talk about her books, new podcast and more! Janina Scarlet, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, scientist, and full-time geek. A Ukrainian-born refugee, she survived Chernobyl radiation and persecution. After immigrating to the United States, Janina was heavily influenced by the X-Men. While completing her postdoctoral training at the Veterans Medical Research Center, where she treated active duty service members with PTSD, Dr. Scarlet noticed that many of her clients identified with superheroes. She later began incorporating superheroes and other fictional characters into Superhero Therapy. For more info on Superhero Therapy, check out the website.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing Stranger Things Season 2.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Production Credits:

Geek Hard Logo – Candice Hibbard and Rich Robbins

Technical Production – Gary LaBarr, Recorded at the Reality Radio 101 Studio

Producers – Andrew Young & James Green

Music Credits:

Opening Music “Eterna Teen” by Mark Holman

“Halloween” by the Dead Kennedys

“The Blob” by The Five Blobs

“Drowning City Skyline” by I Hear Sirens

“Beyond Skyline” by Mister Sweatband

“Until the Night is Over” by Timber Timbre

“Nightlife” by The Wet Secrets

“Take On Me (acoustic)” by a-ha

Closing Music “Kelly’s Heroes” by Black Grape

Originally Aired: 10/20/17 – We review The Snowman. Talk with actor Robert Nolan all with special guest host Matthew McConaughey

We talk about the news of the week with special guest host Matthew McConaughey (well that’s what he keeps telling us at least). According to Matthew, the Academy is going to have a new category for VR films starting next year. Marvel is considering doing a Marvel only convention for the comics, movies and Television series. Matthew has breaking news that DC will be starting production on a Louis the Lilac film starring Matthew. Alterna Comics had a comic rejected from Free Comicbook Day which has Alterna asking for reform of the selection process.

Our review of The Snowman starring Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson and Charlotte Gainsbourg. Synopsis: For Detective Harry Hole, the death of a young woman during the first snowfall of winter feels like anything but a routine homicide. His investigation leads him to “The Snowman Killer,” an elusive sociopath who continuously taunts Hole with cat-and-mouse games. As the vicious murders continue, Harry teams up with a brilliant recruit to try and lure the madman out of the shadows before he can strike again.

We also talk with Robert Nolan, the star of Sixty Minutes to Midnight, the new indie action film that played Toronto After Dark just last week. He’ll be on to talk about what went into making the film and share some “behind the scenes” stories. Sixty Minutes to Midnight focuses on a construction worker and former soldier Jack Darcy, a man of few friends who decides to spend New Year’s Eve 1999 by himself at his secluded home in Dallas. Little does he know that he’s been chosen to be the next contestant on a deadly game show that hunts and kills its players. Jack has 1 hour to stay alive. If he does, he receives One Million Dollars. But Jack is a skilled individual with more than a few tricks up his sleeve. For more info on Sixty Minutes to Midnight, check out our review of the film.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing Image Comics current mini-series Kill the Minotaur.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Production Credits:

Geek Hard Logo – Candice Hibbard and Rich Robbins

Technical Production – Gary LaBarr, Recorded at the Reality Radio 101 Studio

Producers – Andrew Young & James Green

Music Credits:

Opening Music “Eterna Teen” by Mark Holman

“Wheat Kings” by The Tragically Hip

“Studying Source” by Marco Beltrami

“Popcorn Song” by Kallinkos Tompoulidis

“It’s Show Time” by Mitchell Gibbs

“The Marquee and the Moon” by Sloan

“Matthew McConaughey is Awesome Song!” by Papa Razzi and the Photogs

Closing Music “Kelly’s Heroes” by Black Grape

Originally Aired: 10/13/17 – We review Happy Death Day. Talk with comic writer Tini Howard all with special guest host J. Torres

We talk about the news of the week with special guest host J. Torres. Taking a look at the newly dropped New Mutants trailer. The news that Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner have announced their departure from Harley Quinn next month.

Our review of Happy Death Day starring Jessica Rothe, Israel Broussard and Ruby Modine. Synopsis: Tree Gelbman is a blissfully self-centered collegian who wakes up on her birthday in the bed of a student named Carter. As the morning goes on, Tree gets the eerie feeling that she’s experienced the events of this day before. When a masked killer suddenly takes her life in a brutal attack, she once again magically wakes up in Carter’s dorm room unharmed. Now, the frightened young woman must relive the same day over and over until she figures out who murdered her.

We also talk with comic writer Tini Howard. Tini talks about the upcoming release of both Hack/Slash: Resurrection (late October) and Assassinistas (December), as well as her past comics work on titles ranging from Power Rangers to Rick and Morty and more. As a winner of the Top Cow Talent Hunt, Tini Howard’s first comics credit was 2014’s Magdalena: Seventh Sacrament. Since then, she’s continued her work with Top Cow and has worked on projects like Poseidon IX (Image/Top Cow), The Secret Loves of Geek Girls (Bedside Press), and Oath Anthology. She lives at the beach. For more on Tini Howard, check out her website.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing upcoming sequels, reboots and other genre movies to be released.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Production Credits:

Geek Hard Logo – Candice Hibbard and Rich Robbins

Technical Production – Gary LaBarr, Recorded at the Reality Radio 101 Studio

Producers – Andrew Young & James Green

Music Credits:

Opening Music “Eterna Teen” by Mark Holman

“Love Somebody” by The Big Ol’ Nasty Getdown (featuring Laura Reed)

“Ophelia” by The Lumineers

“Since I Don’t Have You” by The Skyliners

“For the Damage Coda (fewer Remix)” by Blonde Redhead

“Catch Your Breath” by CFO$

“Choppin’ Block” by 6 String Drag

Closing Music “Kelly’s Heroes” by Black Grape

Originally Aired: 10/06/17 – Review Blade Runner 2049. Talk with Anthony Desiato of My Comic Shop Country & Adam Lopez of Toronto After Dark Film Festival

We talk with documentary filmmaker and comic fan Anthony Desiato. He joins us to talk about My Comic Shop Country, a new film that he’s currently raising money on Kickstarter to make. Anthony started in film by making a documentary about his local comic shop. When that comic shop closed down, this prompted him to start up the podcast, My Comic Shop History. The series has lead him to a number of interesting shops across America. He now plans to showcase these shops and present their stories in his latest doc. To find out more about the full crowdfunding campaign, check out the Kickstarter Page.

Our review of Blade Runner 2049 starring Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling and Ana de Armas. Synopsis: Officer K (Ryan Gosling), a new blade runner for the Los Angeles Police Department, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos. His discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former blade runner who’s been missing for 30 years.

We also talk with Adam Lopez, the founder and festival director of the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. He’ll be on to talk about this year’s lineup for the fest, taking place from October 12th to 20th at the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto. You can check out the list of films coming to Toronto After Dark here and be sure to listen to our interview with Adam this Friday to get a more in depth look into the fest.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing a Washington Post article about the state of Netflix.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Production Credits:

Geek Hard Logo – Candice Hibbard and Rich Robbins

Technical Production – Gary LaBarr, Recorded at the Reality Radio 101 Studio

Producers – Andrew Young & James Green

Music Credits:

Opening Music “Eterna Teen” by Mark Holman

“It’ll All Work Out” by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

“Keep the Customer Satisfied” by Wildlife

“The Amazing Spider-Man Theme” by The Long Lake Rockstar

“I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” by Elvis Presley

“More Human Than Human” by Marcus Nimbler

“Dark Night” by The Blasters

Closing Music “Kelly’s Heroes” by Black Grape

Originally Aired: 09/29/17 We review American Made. We talk with Kelly McCormack of Killjoys and we also talk with Chris Cheung of MetaOlympia.com

We talk with actor/producer/writer Kelly McCormack. Fans of Killjoys will recognize her as new “nerd” recruit Zeph. But Killjoys isn’t the only thing she’s been working on this year as she produced and starred in The Neddeaus of Duqesne Island for CBC Comedy. She’ll be on to tell us all about her various projects in the world of entertainment. For more info on Kelly McCormack, you can check out her website.

Our review of American Made starring Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson & Sarah Wright. Synopsis: Barry Seal, a TWA pilot, is recruited by the CIA to provide reconnaissance on the burgeoning communist threat in Central America and soon finds himself in charge of one of the biggest covert CIA operations in the history of the United States. The operation spawns the birth of the Medellin cartel and almost brings down the Reagan White House.

We also talk with Chris Cheung who launched Meta Olympia this past summer. Meta Olympia is “a glorious mash-up of sports news, science fiction, art and technology.” Through old school sports reporting, the world of Meta Olympia is revealed. We learn not just about the players, but also the living conditions of the future colonies of Mars. Chris will tell us more about this new framework for sci-fi storytelling.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing the announcement of Lazarus & Deadly Class pilots being ordered for Amazon & SyFy respectively.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Production Credits:

Geek Hard Logo – Candice Hibbard and Rich Robbins

Technical Production – Gary LaBarr, Recorded at the Reality Radio 101 Studio

Producers – Andrew Young & James Green

Music Credits:

Opening Music “Eterna Teen” by Mark Holman

“Early in the Morning” by Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated

“Lie Awake” by Angel Snow

“Flute Music” by the Flute Music Specialists

“One Way Out” by The Allman Brothers Band

“Black Widow Blues” by Townes Van Zandt

“Rock ’n Roll, Part 2” by Gary Glitter

Closing Music “Kelly’s Heroes” by Black Grape

Originally Aired: 09/22/17 We review TIFF’s Midnight Madness film Brawl in Cell Block 99. We talk with Dork Shelf’s Film Editor Noah Taylor about TIFF17.

We talk about the news of the week. The passing of legendary actor Harry Dean Stanton (91) and wrestling legend Bobby “The Brain” Heenan (72). After the loss of power to over 1 million households it came to light that Florida has state legislation banning solar panels. The latest resurrection of the original Jean Grey in Phoenix Resurrection storyline. Zach Snyder confirms he won’t come back to take over Justice League through to release. Matthew Vaughan who is rumoured to be taking over Man of Steel 2 wants a more hopeful story line for the movie.

Our review of Brawl in Cell Block 99 starring Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Carpenter and Don Johnson. Synopsis: S. Craig Zahler (BONE TOMAHAWK) returns with his sophomore feature, BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99. An exhilarating exercise in analog violence, CELL BLOCK follows the brutal exploits of a former boxer who finds himself incarcerated after a drug deal goes wrong. Trapped in a maximum security facility, he must fight to stay alive and to protect those he loves.

We also talk with Noah Taylor. He is the film editor at Dorkshelf.com and reviewed a number of films that played at TIFF17. He lets us know about all the big flicks that screened and all the crazy times he had. Dork Shelf Film Editor Noah Taylor knows film. In addition to Dork Shelf, he has contributed to sites such as Indiewire and Art of the Title. From working in a video store, to studying film at Concordia University, acting in indie films, writing screenplays, to shooting and editing EPK material, he is a true cinephile who appreciates that when it comes to movies, no one will ever know all there is to know or see all there is to see.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing a recent Washington Post article about who Hollywood should really blame about declining ticket sales.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Production Credits:

Geek Hard Logo – Candice Hibbard and Rich Robbins

Technical Production – Gary LaBarr, Recorded at the Reality Radio 101 Studio

Producers – Andrew Young & James Green

Music Credits:

Opening Music “Eterna Teen” by Mark Holman

“The Brain” by Jim Johnson

“The Edge” by David McCallum

“Little Child Runnin’ Wild” by Curtis Mayfield

“Act Naturally” by Clint Michigan

“The Show Must Go On” by Pink Floyd

“Drink Up” by Leslie Hudson

Closing Music “Kelly’s Heroes” by Black Grape

Originally Aired: 09/15/17 We talk with Latched directors Justin Harding & Rob Brunner, comedian Gavin Stephens about his new album The Big Easy

We talk about the news of the week. The Passing of comic book legend Len Wein (69) creator of Swamp Thing and Wolverine. Apple announces the latest iPhone – iPhone X and the 8, Apple TV 4K and Apple Watch Series 3. The first photo of David Harbour as Hellboy released. Patty Jenkins officially signed as Wonder Woman 2 director. JJ Abrams announced as replacement director for Star Wars Episode IX. Krypton’s Adam Strange cast. Director Tim Miller signs on to James Cameron’s Terminator reboot.

We talk with filmmakers Justin Harding and Rob Brunner. This directing duo has a new short film, Latched, playing at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). They talk about the making of the short and their time at the festival. Synopsis: A choreographer pursues creative inspiration at a cottage retreat while attempting to wean her demanding toddler — and unknowingly awakens a vile fairy corpse in the process. When she discovers the creature’s terrifying intentions, she will have to put her creativity to good use to lure the repugnant beast.

We also talk with comedian and longtime friend of the show Gavin Stephens. Gavin has a new comedy album out called The Big Easy. He’s also appearing at this year’s JFL42 in Toronto. Gavin will be joining us in the studio for the whole program to talk about all this and more. Gavin Stephens has filmed multiple one-man specials for CTV and the Comedy Network, and recently performed with Reggie Watts at #JFL42. He’s toured as a sought out headliner, all over North America, the U.K and South Africa. Gavin was also named Best Stand-Up Comedian in NOW Magazine’s Readers Choice Poll, 2010. For five seasons he was a lead actor and writer on the Gemini-nominated sketch show Comedy Inc. on CTV. A multi-media sensation, Gavin has appeared at international festivals like Montreal’s Just For Laughs and Austin’s SXSW.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing wrestling again as well as the cultural stair climbing humanity is going through currently with Gavin.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Production Credits:

Geek Hard Logo – Candice Hibbard and Rich Robbins

Technical Production – Gary LaBarr, Recorded at the Reality Radio 101 Studio

Producers – Andrew Young & James Green

Music Credits:

Opening Music “Eterna Teen” by Mark Holman

“Smokey Joe’s La La” by Googie Rene

“Mother’s Milk” by Bob and Rick Gerics

“Latch” by Tristan Mcintosh

“In the Clear” by Foo Fighters

“Give A Shit (GAS)” by More Or Les

“Long Way To Go” by More Or Les

Closing Music “Kelly’s Heroes” by Black Grape

Originally Aired: 09/08/17 We talk with Blood Honey director Jeff Kopas, cartoonist Shane Heron about his Morris Kickstarter and our review of IT

We talk with director Jeff Kopas. His latest film, Blood Honey (starring Shenae Grimes-Beech of Degrassi: The Next Generation and 90210 fame) is opening in select cities across Canada in the coming weeks. Blood Honey is directed by Jeff Kopas (An Insignificant Harvey) and stars Shenae Grimes-Beech (The New Beverly Hills 90210). The film follows Jenibel Heath (Grimes-Beech) on her return to her family’s secluded island lodge to help her siblings care for their dying father, 10 years after the mysterious suicide of her mother. Set to inherit the bulk of the family’s estate, Jenibel learns of a horrific plot against her and finds herself stuck in a life-threatening nightmare, where she must struggle to survive.

Our review of It starring Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Lieberher & Finn Wolfhard. Synopsis: Seven young outcasts in Derry, Maine, are about to face their worst nightmare — an ancient, shape-shifting evil that emerges from the sewer every 27 years to prey on the town’s children. Banding together over the course of one horrifying summer, the friends must overcome their own personal fears to battle the murderous, bloodthirsty clown known as Pennywise.

We also talk with comic creator Shane Heron. Shane returns to the program to talk about his latest project, Morris. It’s a post-apocalyptic western comic about a Sheriff who must keep his town safe from the horrors of the world. He’ll be launching a Kickstarter campaign this month and joins us to give all the details on the comic. Keep an eye on his Twitter & Instagram feeds for more details on the launch and some great pinups for the project he has been getting from artists for the Kickstarter.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing the life in artist alley at conventions with Shane Heron.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Production Credits:

Geek Hard Logo – Candice Hibbard and Rich Robbins

Technical Production – Gary LaBarr, Recorded at the Reality Radio 101 Studio

Producers – Andrew Young & James Green

Music Credits:

Opening Music “Eterna Teen” by Mark Holman

“Take Good Care of the Poor Boy” by Sloan

“Like Blood Like Honey” by Holly Brook

“Dragging On” by Blue Rodeo

“It Theme” by Benjamin Wallfisch

“Bust a Move” by Young MC

“Law Man” by Al Caiola

Closing Music “Kelly’s Heroes” by Black Grape

Originally Aired: 09/01/17 We talk with TIFF Programmer Peter Kuplowsky, Tamsen McDonough of Killjoys and our look at the 2017 Fall TV lineup

We talk with TIFF Midnight Madness programmer Peter Kuplowsky. Peter’s been on the show previously but this is the first time for the Midnight Madness program which showcases some of the best genre films of the year. He tells us all about this year’s Midnight Madness program. Peter Kuplowsky is a film curator, content producer, writer and hat enthusiast based in Toronto, Canada. Since 2005, Peter has established a career championing genre cinema and outsider art at various international film festivals, including TORONTO AFTER DARK, FANTASTIC FEST in Austin, Texas, and the TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL’s MIDNIGHT MADNESS programme. For more info on the Midnight Madness Program, go to TIFF.NET.

Our look at the upcoming 2017 Fall TV lineup. We share our thoughts on what many executives are hoping will be the next Game of Thrones or Breaking Bad. Listen as we break down all the new shows coming in September, October and November as well as some of the returning programs. If you’re a t.v. addict like Mr. Green, this is serious stuff. We can already see some potentially great shows and some others that look to be not so great.

We talk with Tamsen McDonough. She is best known for being the voice of Lucy the spaceship on the hit SPACE/Syfy series Killjoys. Tamsen chats about the 3rd season of Killjoys and get your ready for the season finale. Fans of Killjoys will not want to miss this. Actor Tamsen McDonough continues her series regular role in season two of the hit sci-fi adventure series KILLJOYS, currently airing on Space (Canada) and SyFy (United States). Tamsen has appeared in various film and television projects. Tamsen is also passionate about writing and has recently created the comedy web series MISS ODETTE’S MODERN HANDBOOK TO MANNERS in which she stars. For more info on Tamsen, check out her website.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing the abundance of comedy specials today.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Production Credits:

Geek Hard Logo – Candice Hibbard and Rich Robbins

Technical Production – Gary LaBarr, Recorded at the Reality Radio 101 Studio

Producers – Andrew Young & James Green

Music Credits:

Opening Music “Eterna Teen” by Mark Holman

“Kashmere” by Kashmere Stage Band

“Midnight Madness” by Donna Fein

“Midnight Madness” by The Chemical Brothers

“Human” by Rag’n’Bone Man

“Television Song” by Fake Tides

“Today I Hate Everyone” by Killjoys

Closing Music “Kelly’s Heroes” by Black Grape

Originally Aired: 08/25/17

We talk the news of the week. It’s been a long time but we dive right back into it. Kyle Stevens announces that Kirby Krackle will be booking a House Concert Tour for October go here. Channing Tatum says that after Deadpool & Logan they now know what they can do with Gambit. WB’s new DC Comics-branded digital service announces that they have cast Anna Diop as Starfire in the long gestating Teen Titans live action show. WB/DC is back at it again this week with the announcement of several DCEU related films with a Joker origin movie and a Joker & Harley movie, which may or may not have Leto & Robbie.

Our review of Batman and Harley Quinn starring Kevin Conroy, Melissa Rauch and Paget Brewster. Synopsis: Spawned from an original story by animation icon Bruce Timm, Batman and Harley Quinn brings legendary voice actor Kevin Conroy back to his most famous role. Poison Ivy and Jason Woodrue (a.k.a. The Floronic Man) embark on an ecological quest to save the planet—and, unfortunately, eliminate most of humankind along the way. To save humanity, Batman and Nightwing are forced to enlist Harley Quinn to catch Poison Ivy, Harley’s BFF and frequent partner-in-crime. But Batman’s patience is put to the test by the unpredictable and untrustworthy Harley during the twists and turns the reluctant companions face during their bumpy road trip. The result is a thrill ride of action, adventure and comedy no Batman fan has seen before.

We talk with musician and composer Craig Wedren. You may have heard Craig’s work and not even known it as he’s provided music for television and movie properties like Wet Hot American Summer, Glow, Powerless, Fresh off the Boat and more. Craig will be on to talk about these projects and others as we delve into the world of score and soundtracks. Craig Wedren is a composer, a songwriter, and a singer. As a composer, Wedren has scored a host of popular feature films including Wanderlust, Role Models, School of Rock, Wet Hot American Summer, By The People: The Election of Barack Obama, Laurel Canyon, Roger Dodger, and Afternoon Delight. Wedren has also written and performed music for televisions shows including Wet Hot American Summer First Day of Camp, A to Z, Hung, The United States of Tara, Reno 911!, Don’t Trust The B. In Apt. 23, Childrens Hospital, Burning Love, Wainy Days, Stella, and The State. For more info on Craig Wedren, check out his website.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing when you have missed opportunities in entertainment and laughing at comedies.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Production Credits:

Geek Hard Logo – Candice Hibbard and Rich Robbins

Technical Production – Gary LaBarr, Recorded at the Reality Radio 101 Studio

Producers – Andrew Young & James Green

Music Credits:

Opening Music “Eterna Teen” by Mark Holman

“Jokerman” by Built to Spill

“Hanging on the Telephone” by Blondie

“Don’t Pull Your Love” by Hamilton, Joe Frank, & Reynolds

“Do You Harm” by Craig Wedren

Closing Music “Kelly’s Heroes” by Black Grape