In The Seats with...

Sometimes movies hit you just a little differently....

On this special episode we go head long into a fantastic new movie that is in theatres now.  It's time for 'The Settlers'.

At the turn of the 20th century, three horsemen embark on an expedition across the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, tasked with securing a wealthy landowner's vast property. Accompanying a reckless British lieutenant and an American mercenary is mestizo marksman Segundo, who comes to realize, amidst rising tensions within the group, their true mission is to murderously “remove” the indigenous population.

It's a stunningly beautiful and brutal commentary on how we have (and still do) treat our indigenous people and an absolute must see.

I had the unique pleasure of sitting down with co-writer/director Felipe Galvez (with the assistance of a translator) to discuss the origins of the story, it's unique visual style and so very much more.

'The Settlers' is select theatres across Canada now.

The immigrant experience is always unique and incredibly complex....

On this episode we dive head first into a vibrant piece of French Canadian that perfectly encapsulates the experience of moving to another country.  It's time for 'RU'

Based on the Governor General's Award-winning novel by Kim Thúy, Ru is the story of the arduous journey of a wealthy family fleeing from Vietnam, before landing in Quebec.

We had the unique pleasure of sitting down with director Charles-Olivier Michaud to talk about getting involved with the project and bringing this sublime story to audiences everywhere.

'RU" is in theatres across Canada now.

Getting invested in revenge takes real character work....

On this episode we're going back to the new film 'Sunrise' starring Guy Pearce and Alex Pettyfer which is on all VOD platforms now.

A man, Fallon (Alex Pettyfer) roams the land as a creature of the night as he comes to terms with tragic loss of his family at the hands of a brutal demagogue, Reynolds (Guy Pearce).

While it's playing in a genre space with vampires, at the end of the day 'Sunrise' is a brutal and compelling revenge thriller thanks to some great character work from its two leads.

We had the unique pleasure of sitting down with one of those leads, the one and only Alex Pettyfer as we talked about working on the project, his relationship with Guy Pearce and so very much more....

Sometimes the scary bits come out of pure human brutality...

On this episode, we dive into a fascinating little piece of genre cinema that is available now on VOD Platforms (and playing in some select US cinemas).  It's time for 'Sunrise'.

A man, Fallon (Alex Pettyfer) roams the land as a creature of the night as he comes to terms with tragic loss of his family at the hands of a brutal demagogue, Reynolds (Guy Pearce).

This is an underrated little piece of genre cinema that takes the shine off the vampire genre and makes it more a very relatable story of bloodlust and revenge.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with director Andrew Baird to talk about the origins of the project, taking the shine off the idea of a vampire and working with two actors who get to chew the screen in a very entertaining duel.

Sunrise is on all major VOD platforms now

We are so much more then what we are assumed to be on the surface....

On this very special episode we dive into the realm that is short film and take a look at a piece that was shortlisted for the BAFTA's and the Academy Awards.  It's time for 'The One Note Man'.

A musical man lives a careful life. Each day is like the next, just how he likes it. One day, however, misfortune and fate collide, breaking his routine and rocking his world forever.

In our increasingly dour, serious and stressful world; 'The One Note Man' is a simply but glorious experience of individuality and humanity that will staple a smile on your face so fast you may never shake it off.  It's a beautiful piece of cinema and a testament to the importance of the short form of filmmaking.

We had the unique please of sitting down with Writer/Director George Siougas and Executive Producer Josh Friedman to talk about the origins of it all, the importance of short form cinema and ultimately always trying to live our dreams.

You heard me right....we are In The Seats once more....

First off I have to thank my loyal listeners who have been missing us these past few weeks.  

My mother recently lost her battle with Lung Cancer at the age of 76 and as you'd expect it threw me for a loop as I have and am still processing a myriad of things going on in my life.  That being said she was also my most ardent supporter and reminded me every day of what a joy it is to be able to talk with people and support the arts in all of it's forms so it's in her honor that we are back and doing what we love.

We had the unique please of sitting down with costume designer Ane Crabtree to talk about her work on the show 'The Changeling' which is streaming now on Apple TV+.

We talked about the job, and getting to be a part of a fascinating piece of TV from the early stages as well as some of the creative influences, flourishes and moments in her life that got her to where she is today.

The Changeling is on Apple TV+ now.

Thanks Mum....

Sometimes funny just hits a little differently....

On this episode we harken back to some cinema that made it's bow at the last edition of the Toronto International Film Festival and drops on Disney+ here in Canada today(Hulu in the States).  It's time for Quiz Lady.

Anne (Awkwafina), a brilliant but tightly wound, gameshow-obsessed young woman, and her estranged, train-wreck of a sister Jenny (Sandra Oh), must work together to help cover their mother’s gambling debts. When Anne’s beloved dog is kidnapped, they set out on a wild, cross-country trek to get the cash the only way they know how: by turning Anne into a bona-fide gameshow champion.

It's broad, slapsticky and borderline offensive at times, but it owns it with great performances and comedic beats that aren't afraid to get its audience feeling a tiny bit uncomfortable for laughing while simultaneously being invested in the characters emotional arc.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with director Jessica Yu to talking about getting the job, working with a duo like Sandra Oh and Awkwafina and making a female driven film that isn't afraid to lean into a joke that pushes the boundaries of our politically correct universe.

'Quiz Lady' is on Disney+ (and Hulu in the US) now.

The sheer joy of an anecdote can be downright cinematic....

On this very special episode we dive into a fascinating documentary that gives us a glimpse into the mind of one of the 20th Centuries great storytellers, by one of the greatest documentarians of our time.  On Apple TV+ now, it's 'The Pigeon Tunnel'.

Errol Morris pulls back the curtain on the storied life and career of former British spy David Cornwell — better known as John le Carré, author of such classic espionage novels as The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Constant Gardener. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Cold War leading into present day, the film spans six decades as le Carré delivers his final and most candid interview, punctuated with rare archival footage and dramatized vignettes.

This film takes us down the complex rabbit hole of personality giving us a glimpse at what made one of the best storytellers of the modern age tick.

It's a fascinating watch and we had the pleasure of sitting down with producers Stephen and Simon Cornwell (who also happen to be the sons of le Carré to talk about the genesis of the project and the legacy of the man himself across a myriad of mediums.

The Pigeon Tunnel is on Apple TV+ now.