Matinee Heroes

IN AMERICA

The Sullivan family leaves Ireland for New York City, where Johnny hopes to make it as an actor. They settle into a cramped Hell’s Kitchen apartment and struggle to build a new life. While Johnny looks for acting work, his wife Sarah takes a job at an ice cream parlor. Both are still grieving the death of their son, Frankie, as their daughter Christie captures the family’s journey through her video camera.

Craig, Alan and Elisabeth talk about immigrations, grief, Alan turning 57 and the movie “In America” as we celebrate Alan’s Matinee Birthday!

Show Notes

1:02

Craig, Alan and Elisabeth discuss Alan's birthday plans.

8:40

Craig, Alan and Elisabeth discuss "In America."

30:24

Recasting

50:48

Double Feature

1:23:56

Final Thoughts

1:01:33

A preview of next week's episode "Bridesmaids."

Next week, love is in the air. Or is it? We discuss the comedy classic "Bridesmaids."

Recorded live at Retro Expo in Plano, Texas in July 2024, Craig sits down with Harry Hamlin for a lively and genuinely engaging conversation that spans Mayfair Witches Season 2, his unforgettable Clash of the Titans stories, his viral Bolognese, and the acting lessons he learned from Laurence Olivier.

Standing His Ground: Hamlin recounts how he protected Clash of the Titans from bad creative choices — including locking himself in a trailer to keep the Medusa scene intact.

Mythology & Craft: With a Yale background in mythological psychology, he explains how Joseph Campbell shaped his approach to Perseus (and why the movie’s mythology is “all wrong”).

Finding Courtland Mayfair: Inspired by Laurence Olivier’s “green umbrella,” Hamlin shares how a simple pinky ring instantly unlocked his Mayfair Witches character.

“When they hired me, they didn’t know they were getting a badass.” - Harry Hamlin

Want more exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes stories from the people who bring your favorite characters to life? Subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcasting platform for more behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive interviews.

SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING

Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, young Peter Parker returns home to live with his Aunt May. Guided by his mentor, Tony Stark, Peter begins embracing his new identity as Spider-Man while trying to return to his normal routine. But his desire to prove he is more than just a friendly neighborhood superhero is put to the test when the Vulture threatens everything he holds dear.

Craig, Elisabeth and guest Nick Mears talk about unnecessary origin stories, John Hughes films, the perfect Peter parker and the movie “Spider-Man: Homecoming” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

1:12

Craig, Elisabeth and Nick Mears discuss Nick's podcast Nick Flix.

8:10

Craig, Elisabeth and Nick discuss "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

53:24

Recasting

1:20:18

Double Feature

1:23:56

Final Thoughts

1:32:31

A preview of next week's episode "In America."

Next week, we celebrate Old Man Cerny with a tale of immigration: Alan’s birthday pick, "In America".

BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF

Something is hunting the women and children of the French countryside, leaving behind a trail of blood and terror. With the creature always one step ahead, King Louis sends a renowned scientist and his Iroquois blood brother to uncover the truth. But this is no ordinary beast, and the conspiracy behind it may be even more dangerous.

Craig, Elisabeth and guest Alex Barnhill talk about the beast of Gévaudan, sexy transitions, a full panel with Mark Dacascos and the movie “Brotherhood of the Wolf” on this week’s Matinee Heroes.

Show Notes

1:04

Craig, Elisabeth and guest Alex Barnhill discuss FIFA in Dallas.

10:41

Craig, Elisabeth and Alex discuss "Brotherhood of the Wolf"

54:41

Recasting

1:14:57 

Double Feature

1:17:24

Final Thoughts

1:21:14

Craig's exclusive interview with Mark Dacascos recorded live at Comicpalooza in Houston, Texas.

2:17:24

A preview of next week's episode "Spider-Man: Homecoming"

Next week we celebrate a new Spider-Man movie with the reboot's first "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

THE MATRIX RELOADED

Humanity’s war against the machines continues as Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus fight to free their people from the Matrix, while Neo discovers his growing importance in the fate of mankind. The battle is no longer just about survival, but about understanding the truth behind the world they are trying to escape.

Craig, Alan and guest Mark Woodring talk about sweaty community orgies, Mark’s first Comicpalooza, the pressure of a follow-up and the movie “Matrix: Reloaded” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Next week the gang talks "Brotherhood of the Wolf" with the added bonus of Mark Dacascos!!

O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU

Ulysses Everett McGill is serving a hard-labor sentence in Mississippi when he convinces two fellow prisoners to escape with him. Claiming that a fortune in buried treasure is waiting, he leads the trio across the state. Still shackled together, they race to find the money while staying one step ahead of the authorities.

Craig, Elisabeth and guest Brendan Agnew discuss the Odyssey, southern gothic, pomade and the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

0:58

Craig, Elisabeth and Brendan Agnew discuss Marion's summer movie intake.

13:35

Craig, Elisabeth and Brendon discuss "O Brother, Where Art Thou."

49:55

Recasting

1:09:18

Double Feature

1:12:25

Final Thoughts

1:20:33

A preview of next week's episode "Matrix Reloaded."

Next week, live from Comicpalooza it's "Matrix Reloaded."

In May 2015, Craig sat down with David Anders at Comicpalooza in Houston for one of the very first convention panels he ever moderated. Anders, known for playing unforgettable villains and complicated characters in Alias, Heroes, iZombie, The Vampire Diaries, and Once Upon a Time, looked back on his career, his reputation as one of the rare American actors known for convincing British accents, and the mentors who helped shape him. The conversation moved from funny set stories to emotional reflections on rejection, persistence, and the people who gave him a chance.

David talked about the early days of Alias, how J.J. Abrams fought for him to get the role of Sark, and why the character being British changed the course of his career.

He shared stories from Heroes, iZombie, The Vampire Diaries, and Once Upon a Time, including the strange fun of playing characters who are villains, undead, immortal, or just beautifully terrible.

In one of the most personal moments of the panel, David opened up about giving up sports, finding acting, moving to Los Angeles at 18, and the teachers and mentors who helped him keep going.

“Always know everyone, know the scene backwards and forwards. Just know your words. And always be 15 minutes early.”

Want more exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes stories from the people who bring your favorite characters to life? Subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcasting platform for more behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive interviews.

HAPPY GILMORE

Happy Gilmore only wants one thing: to play hockey. But when his grandmother is about to lose her house, he discovers his slap shot gives him an outrageous edge on the golf course. Now he has to turn his anger issues into prize money, while dragging the polite world of professional golf into total chaos.

Craig, Elisabeth and guest Jeff Penn talk about golf, mannequin hands, Christopher McDonald's induction into the William Atherton Asshole Hall of Fame and the movie “Happy Gilmore” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

0:59

Craig, Elisabeth and Jeff Penn induct Christopher McDonald into the 2nd Annual William Atherton Asshole Hall of Fame.

19:16

Craig, Elisabeth and Jeff discuss "Happy Gilmore."

54:41

Recasting

1:10:30

Double Feature

1:14:59

Final Thoughts

1:27:13

A preview of next week's episode "O Brother, Where Art Thou."

Next week, we celebrate Christopher Nolan's "Odyssey" with a different telling of Homer's tale with "O Brother, Where Art Thou."

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Outdoorsy Chicago family man Chet Ripley takes his wife, Connie, and their kids to a Wisconsin lakeside cabin for a peaceful vacation. But the getaway is derailed when Connie’s obnoxious brother-in-law Roman arrives with his family, turning a relaxing weekend into a battle between laid-back fun and uptight excess.

Craig, Elisabeth and guest Tami Anderson talk about family dynamics, bald butt bears, kink shows and the movie “The Great Outdoors” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

0:59

Craig, Elisabeth and Tami Anderson talk about going to the "Kink" show.

14:08

Craig, Elisabeth and Tami discuss "The Great Outdoors."

1:00:14

Recasting

1:12:13

Double Feature

1:17:30

Final Thoughts

1:22:15

A preview of next week's episode "Happy Gilmore."

Next week, our 2nd annual William Atherton Asshole Hall of Fame induction ceremony and the movie "Happy Gilmore."

THE SURE THING

Gib is a college freshman who can’t catch a break with women. When he hears a gorgeous girl in California is interested in him, he joins a cross-country carpool to meet her. The catch? Alison, the uptight classmate who already rejected him, is along for the ride. What starts as a nightmare road trip slowly turns into something neither of them expected.

Craig, Elisabeth and guest Derek McCaw talk about if opposites attract, 50-year-old undergrads, summer in central California and the movie “The Sure Thing” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

1:01

Craig, Elisabeth and Derek talk vacationing in Central California.

9:46

Craig, Elisabeth and Derek discuss "The Sure Thing."

50:45

Recasting

1:13:20

Double Feature

1:17:58

Final Thoughts

1:24:48

A preview of next week's episode "The Great Outdoors."

Next week, we wrap up our summer fun movies with "The Great Outdoors."