The Matineecast

Runtime

47 minutes

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

3:17 The New Slang: THE NORTHMAN review with Katie Hogan

Thoughts from your host…

Springtime film schedules are always hell to plan a podcast around – this spring is no exception!

Happily, I still have old and dear friends like today’s guest to count on for classing-up the place and bringing fresh perspective.

It’s good to know that there are still some things – and some people – you can count on!

Katie’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome and thank you very much for listening. 

Enjoy!

Runtime

69 minutes

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

3:13 The New Slang: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE review with Corey Atad

Thoughts from your host…

I kid you not – our intention was to keep this conversation brief.

In another timeline, this episode is 45 minutes.

You’re here in this time line with us though. Help yourself to a bagel…get comfy…and get ready for things to get weird.

Links mentioned in Episode 282:

Soraya Roberts’ article on EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE

Michelle Yeoh discusses her feelings on taking the role of Evelyn in this film (14:08 mark) :

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME vfx breakdown:

Corey’s interview with Nadav Lapid

Corey’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome and thank you very much for listening. 

Enjoy!

Runtime

74 minutes

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

2:30 Know Your Enemy with Guest – RUBY DHILLON

21:11 The New Slang: TURNING RED

55:55 The Other Side: Ruby and Ryan talk further reading after Doome Shi’s film

Thoughts from your host…

Well…that was something.

It’s so strange to release something out into the world that was captured not even 100 hours ago, and have it feel like it came from the “before times”.

There was a lot of hand-wringing in the weeks and days leading up to last night’s Oscar ceremony. Grumblings about what it was going to be, and swipes at what it always is. By Sunday morning, it seemed like we were reaching the tail winds of a shit storm of snarky comments and cinephile discontent.

And then there was the show. You saw it, or you read about it – I’m not here to rehash it.

Moments like this it’s hard to know what to think. There’s a reason why I don’t do an Oscar show about who will win or what happened, because I just can’t in real-time anymore. I can’t pull on threads of pop culture, I can’t add more static to the signal.

What I think is that the conversation I come to you with today is why I care about film and the sorts of film that Oscar sometimes recognizes. I care about it because it introduces me to people, and I care about it because it helps me learn about the world around me. I care about it because it marks the times and shows us who we used to be…and perhaps helps guide us towards being better people overall.

To that end, I want to thank every guest who has ever come on this show because so bloody many of them have taught me so many things – even though that isn’t their job. Yes, they are my guest, and it’s often customary if someone invites you around to bring a little something with you to say thanks (a pottle of wine, something sweet, maybe something pretty for the table). What my guests have brought to offer when they sit down with me has been invaluable.

I ask them for time, thought, and company – they give me clarity and perspective. It’s an embarrassment of riches that I cherish.

This episode is not from “the before times” – it comes from the present. One where I want to learn from my past, and keep striving to be better.

Links mentioned in Episode 281:

Domee Shi’s recent short film for Pixar, BAO:

Subscribers to Disney+ can also watch BAO here

Ruby’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome and thank you very much for listening. 

Enjoy!

Runtime

78 minutes

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

2:49 Know Your Enemy with Guest – HILLARY BUTLER

17:36 The New Slang: CYRANO

56:30 The Other Side: Hillary and Ryan talk further reading after Joe Wright’s film

Thoughts from your host…

Last week was a pretty darned good week.

Like, top to bottom…Monday to Sunday…work and play, good week.

There were wonderful pieces of art that came my way, some fantastic days at work with feelings of recognition and validation, there was good weather and good food. Heck, even my plant started to bloom some lovely little blossoms.

In the middle of it all, was this podcast – which likewise was nothing but pure goodness.

I say this not to be overly cheerful on a Monday morning, or to try to force-feed positivity into people’s lives…but more because I am personally grateful for it. Some of what I described above came through pure luck, but a lot of it came from some real effort on my part, or some real care on the part of others.

The movie we talk about is one that makes it clear that feelings should be expressed – that it is better to boldly say what is happening in your heart than it is to hide it away in fear or shame.

My heart this week is full, and a lot of people have filled it – not the least of whom is today’s guest who I am truly lucky to call a friend. We may disagree on a film, or which bands are or aren’t good…but darned if I don’t come away from my time with this person with a smile on my face every time.

Another week begins…and it might well not be nearly as good as last week was. But that’s okay; that’s what makes the good times even more special, and why they should be cherished that much more.

Links mentioned in Episode 280…

The National’s soundtrack for Cyrano, since it becomes such a point of contention between Hillary and I:

Adele’s music video for “Easy On Me” directed by Xavier Dolan:

The “hand flex” moment in Joe Wright’s PRIDE & PREDJUDICE:

Jim Laczkowski’s Director’s Club Podcast, where Marya E. Gates, Jim, and I discussed the filmography of Jane Campion…at great length

My cursive, for anyone who’s never got a card or letter from me:

My post revisiting John Carney’s ONCE on the fifth birthday of this space

Hillary’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome and thank you very much for listening. 

Enjoy!

Runtime

84 minutes

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

3:05 Know Your Enemy with Guest –ANDREW JAMES

22:41 The New Slang: KIMI

1:03:23 The Other Side: Andrew and Ryan talk further reading after Steven Soderbergh’s film

Thoughts from your host…

I got my haircut this week (why thank you, I do think Anka did a great job!…)

While I was sitting there paying a friendly Romanian to take sharp objects to my head, she asked me if I remembered what I was feeling when I sat in that chair this time last year…and likewise the year before that. She was asking about failure. She was asking if I remembered what it felt like to be told I wasn’t good enough – and then watching someone prove it.

Failure is a funny thing, and I think about it because I find today’s film an “interesting failure”.

On the one hand, it’s a loss – an undeniable missing of a mark. It comes with negative emotions and labels of an opportunity missed. Big failures can be costly,but little failures might go unnoticed. Almost seems like a contradiction, since you would think that “a fail is a fail”.

That brings me to the other hand – failure can be a good thing because it’s how we grow. We all learn from our mistakes. Heck, we’re likely more prone to reviewing and analyzing something we did wrong than something we did right, so in a weird way a failure could be more valuable in the long run than a success.

Whether it’s artistically, professionally, or personally – we all have to face failures with an uncomfortable degree of regularity. We all want our endeavours to turn out like TRAFFIC, but once in a while they turn out like KIMI (or FULL FRONTAL, or THE LAUNDROMAT, or THE UNDERNEATH). There’s nothing wrong with that. What matters is only what film we decide to make next.

We mustn’t be afraid to fail – we should only fear not having the strength to try and try again.

Links mentioned in Episode 279…

Matineecast 92 live from Minneapolis where Andrew James and I discuss FARGO

Andrew’s Letterboxd list of Minnesota Movies.

The alternate ending of INDEPENDENCE DAY:

Andrew’s Letterboxd rankings of Steven Soderbergh films

Eddie Murphy’s Ice Cream Man routine from DELIRIOUS:

The book Andrew chose as an Other Side selection – “Breaking Gravity” by Mitty Walters

Trailer for Alex Garland’s new film starring Jessie Buckley, MEN:

Andrew’s Letterboxd feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome, and thank-you very much for listening. 

Enjoy!

Runtime

118 minutes

Up for Discussion

1. Introduction and welcome guest Marya E. Gates. (0:00)
3. Rundown of the nominees for adapted and original screenplay (3:16)
4. Rundown of the nominees for Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor, Actress, and Actor (18:09)
5. Rundown of the nominees for Best Direction and Best Picture (1:03:04)
4. Omissions and trends (1:36:38)
5. Early predictions (1:44:38)

Thoughts from your host…

This episode is long, the list of links below is long, so this thought will be brief.

It’s interesting to me to hear people in the industry nay-say this year’s Oscar crop. Comments have ranged from wondering why the hits don’t matter to why Hollywood is surprised people don’t want to see it congratulate itself.

For my money, all I can say is that this moment on the calender interest me. It interests me the same way The Super Bowl does even though I don’t pull for any one particular football team…and the same way the Pulitzer Prize announcements do even though I haven;t done the reading.

It’s a date on the cultural calendar – and even if “they get it wrong”, it’s still a date that merits interesting discussion.

With that said – my guest (who joins me damned near every year at this time) always brings up the most interesting things to discuss.

Links from the show:

Richard Brody’s New Yorker review of THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD

Matineecast 274, where Marya and I discussed THE POWER OF THE DOG

Matineecast 273, where Bob Turnbull and I discussed BELFAST

Matineecast 277, where Ariel Fisher and I discussed THE LOST DAUGHTER

FIlm Experience’s “12 Takeaways. from The Oscar Nominations” post

Olivia Colman’s Oscar speech for THE FAVOURITE:

For Netflixque, Marya considers the career of Andrew Garfield

At NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, Marya digs into NIGHTMARE ALLEY

At Crooked Marquee, Marya reviews PASSING, THE POWER OF THE DOG and THE LOST DAUGHTER

Marya’s review of Josephine Decker’s THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE

Trailer for the upcoming film STRAWBERRY MANSION:

Thanks for tuning into episode two-hundred-seventy-eight.

Marya’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome, and thank-you very much for listening.

Enjoy!

Runtime

84 minutes

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

2:51 Know Your Enemy with Guest – ARIEL FISHER

28:31 The New Slang: THE LOST DAUGHTER

1:10:11 The Other Side: Ariel and Ryan talk further reading after Maggie Gyllenhaal’s film

Thoughts from your host…

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times – the beauty of having friends like today’s guest on the podcast is the way they are able to take the conversation so much further than just what one sees on the screen.

Sure – we could talk about mise en scene or the emotions conveyed in a match cut…but what is that worth to you as a listener at the end of it all?

Instead, following my wonderful guest’s lead, we pull at threads woven within this tapestry of a film and use them to examine our own lives and how we can be better towards each other. We can share experiences and lessons and talk about the way this film incorporates them like tiles in a mosaic. We can talk about men and women, mothers and children, ourselves, the people who’ve affected us, and those we’ve affected.

At the end of it all…maybe we can shape some people’s thoughts or two going forward. That’s not so bad is it?

I’m so grateful that my guest today shares herself so openly in these conversations. I get a better podcast because of it…and am a better man for it.

Links mentioned in Episode 277…

Elle Magazine compares the film version of THE LOST DAUGHTER to the book it was based upon.

Ariel and Matt Donato’s column at Slashfilm dedicated to The Scariest Scenes Ever

Fangoria’s special Scream cover:

Subscribe to Fangoria

Ariel’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome and thank you very much for listening. 

Enjoy!

Runtime

75 minutes

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

4:00 Know Your Enemy with Guest – James McNally

16:57 The New Slang: C’MON C’MON

56:33 The Other Side: James and Ryan talk further reading after Mike Mills’ film

Thoughts from Your Host…

Once more into the breach, dear friends…

A new year for anything is a curious case. One wants to believe in potential, in renewal, in change, and in possibility. As we age though, weariness creeps in, cynicism takes root. The hope of youth fades and the pessimism of age takes over.

I’ve never wanted to give in to incredulity – to just shrug and mumble about why things suck. Even now, as we enter another strange and seemingly endless phase of this global crisis, I choose to cling to what’s bright. I choose to keep meeting new people and bringing back old people to talk about something we still all care about and get excited over.

Things might get harder as we age…but that’s no reason to stop believing that what might be a little harder doesn’t come with reward.

So we soldier on. We remain digital, we work with changing schedules, and varied availability…but we do what we can with what we’ve got.

This new year might sound a bit like the old for a few episodes. With lockdowns still restricting what we can see in theatres here, a lot of the first few months might be dotted with ’21 holdovers. If nothing else though, it gives y’all a chance to catch up!

So here we go – a new year, a new-ish film, a new wrinkle to the podcast (listen up at the start of “The New Slang”, and a new page for us all to scribble our notes and compare.

Links mentioned in Episode 276…

The year-end Matineecast where Bob Turnbull really talked-up today’s film and raised it in my estimation.

“How I Did It” on The Wrap where Woody Norman and Mike Mills discuss the making of C’MON C’MON:

Matineecast 273 where Bob Turnbull and I discuss BELFAST

Madeline Kahn’s monologue in PAPER MOON:

The first season of TCM’s Plot Thickens podcast with Ben Mankiewicz and Peter Bogdanovich

James’ Mixcloud page for his DJ Sets as Ol’ Nerdy Bastard

James’ Twitter feed can be found here. The official Twitter feed for Shorts Not Pants can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome and thank you very much for listening. 

Enjoy!

Runtime

Up for Discussion

1. 1. Introduction with Jolie Featherstone, Hillary Butler, and Bob Turnbull
2. THE FIVES (4:33)
3. THE FOURS (17:59)
4. THE THREES (37:17)
5. THE TWOS (56:15)
6. THE ONES (1:25:11)

The Songs:

Thoughts from your host…

Last year, when I posted the year-end episode of the podcast I said “we’ll see how 2021 goes” in reference to what sort of wrap-up episode I’d be posting today.

It’s tempting to say that “it didn’t go much better”…but where film is concerned, I don’t think that’s true.

We were able to get back out to the cinemas this year – for a few minutes anyway. Studios stopped holding on to their works like they were rare jewels. The on-demand platforms did an amazing job at servicing those of us who wanted to stay home. Oh, and the films themselves were pretty damned incredible!

We spent last night in SoHo, we resurrected The Matrix, we battled the machines alongside The Mitchells. We met Luca, and Candyman, and Cruella, and Malcolm & Marie. We sang along with Annette and Evan Hansen and Jamie. We danced In The Heights and heard a West Side Story.

The old blessing-and-curse goes “May you live in interesting times”. It’s hard to imagine things getting much more interesting than this.

In so many ways things are getting better…but in lots of others they are getting worse. For me it has been a year to remember in so damned many ways it’s not funny, and I’m glad I got to spend even a minute of it with all of the voices you will hear on this show.

My hope remains that ’22 allows me a chance to start doing more episodes in person. That I will feel safe enough to go back to the cinema. That by the time next December rolls around, four of us will gather at one table once again…but all of that remains to be seen.

For now, I will take comfort in the blessings that came with the curses of ’21. I will savour the many year-end films I am still yet to watch, and I will wish everyone who is reading this good luck, good health, and endless love.

As mentioned in the intro, if you’re curious about the songs used as bed music, the track list can be found above in the show notes.

Also as mentioned within the intro, if you find the bed music distracting, a music-free version of this episode can be found here.

Links from The Show:

The “Behold! Cinema.” moment from THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES that became a meme in 2021.

Thanks for tuning in to episode two-hundred-seventy-five, and all the best for the new year!

Jolie’s Twitter feed can be found here. Hillary’s Twitter feed can be found here. Bob’s Twitter feed can be found here.You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS

Comments and feedback are welcome, and thank-you very much for listening.

Enjoy!

The music-free version of the year-end episode. For full show notes including leaving/reading comments, please go to the main post for the episode.

Here’s what’s in store in episode two-hundred-thirty-eight…

Runtime

Up for Discussion

1. 1. Introduction with Jolie Featherstone, Hillary Butler, and Bob Turnbull
2. THE FIVES (4:33)
3. THE FOURS (17:59)
4. THE THREES (37:17)
5. THE TWOS (56:15)
6. THE ONES (1:25:11)