Writer-director Bryn Chainey, whose eerie debut Rabbit Trap is ideal Halloween viewing, is here to talk about the Jonathan Miller’s 1968 BBC adaptation of M.R. James’ Whistle and I’ll Come to You, which launched a British tradition of televised ghost stories – and still holds a disquieting power. Your genial host Norm Wilner suggests you listen to this episode in a very dark room.

Bryan Fuller created the cult TV shows Dead Like Me, Pushing Daisies and Hannibal, among others, and his delirious first feature Dust Bunny plays the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival this Thursday, October 23rd. And he’s here to explore Philip Kaufman’s brilliant reinterpretation of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Your genial host Norm Wilner has been waiting a long time for this one.

With his historical drama Vindication Swim rolling into US theaters this Friday, October 17th, writer-director Elliott Hasler is here to swash some buckles for Gore Verbinski’s 2003 blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – the movie that made him want to be a filmmaker at the age of four. Really. Your genial host Norm Wilner has done the math on this.

Before he battles his way through the new Deathstalker this Friday, October 10th, action hero Daniel Bernhardt drops in to discuss how the Wachowskis’ action epic The Matrix blew his mind when he first saw in in 1999 – and how he ended up acting in at least one of the sequels. Your genial host Norm Wilner can’t believe no one’s brought this movie onto the podcast before.

Writer-director Jules Koostachin, whose new drama Angela’s Shadow premieres on Hollywood Suite today to mark Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is here to talk about how seeing Adrian Lyne’s blockbuster Flashdance as a kid in 1983 inspired her to tell her own stories. Your genial host Norm Wilner broke out the legwarmers for this.

To celebrate the Criterion Collection release of her subversive classic Born in Flames, writer-director Lizzie Borden is here to talk about Chantal Akerman’s Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles. And yes, Wayne Wang and Lukas Dhont have already discussed Akerman’s feminist masterpiece, but Lizzie has a very different approach to the film. Your genial host Norm Wilner suggests you hear her out.

He’s on Broadway with his best pal Keanu Reeves in Waiting for Godot and his new movie Adulthood is in theaters today, but somehow actor and filmmaker Alex Winter carved out the time to talk about his abiding love for Los Olvidados, Luis Bunuel’s uncompromising 1951 drama about a child living in poverty in Mexico City. Your genial host Norm Wilner can’t believe this one came together.

Writer-director Sophy Romvari’s first feature Blue Heron has been picking up a lot of momentum on the festival circuit, and in honor of its TIFF screenings this week your genial host Norm Wilner thought you might want to hear her 2018 episode about the interweaving of personal, professional and global concerns in Kirsten Johnson’s masterful essay film Cameraperson. 

Before his latest (and possibly weirdest) movie F*ck My Son! makes its world premiere in TIFF’s Midnight Madness program on Wednesday, writer-director Todd Rohal wants to discuss George Kuchar’s legendary underground short Hold Me While I’m Naked. Your genial host Norm Wilner never thought this one would come up.

With her new movie Nika and Madison making its world premiere at TIFF on Sunday, writer-director Eva Thomas is here to pay tribute to the tender soul and gigantic heart of Barry Jenkins’ 2016 Oscar-winner Moonlight. And your genial host Norm Wilner is so glad she did.