The Matineecast

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

4:08 Creature Comforts with Kurt Halfyard

23:10 The Feature: THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER (2017)

77:07 The Other Side: Kurt and Ryan talk further reading after Yorgos Lanthimos’ epic film

Thoughts From Your Host…

This has nothing to do with the film up for discussion, but allow me a moment to share my position as a filmgoer:

I am in no hurry to go back to the multiplex.

Not for TENET. Not for MULAN. Not for James Bond, or Maverick, or Wonder Woman. Not for Steven Spielberg or Wes Anderson. Not for all the money in the world.

I don’t say this as someone who has grown disenchanted with film as a medium, nor as someone who has had his priorities shifted during this global crisis. I still believe cinema and the way it combines mixes several art forms together to becomes a powerful art form all its own.

I say this as someone who wants people to stay safe.

My greatest disappointment over the course of this pandemic has been the way the economics has often superseded safety. From professional sports to tourist attractions to higher education – so damned much about what has been discussed and decided has been less about when it is safe for people to move through spaces and interact as it has been when companies can start getting people to spend their money again.

Film studios have been one of the worst offenders of this, and it saddens me to see.

I understand that mainstream cinema is a business, and that there are decisions to be made that are just as much about dollars and cents as they are about passion and perspective. But I truly wish that studios would consider who they are putting at risk by hoping to reopen multiplexes before this crisis truly eases off.

They will be risking the lives of cinema staffers, professional cleaners, couriers and delivery people, critics and media personnel, neighbouring merchants, and their own paying customers. That’s a potentially high body count in the name of box office receipts.

Watching studios make announcement after announcement of later and later release dates just frustrates me to no end. There is one thing driving these decisions and it rhymes with “honey”.

To the cinema chains – you will still have my money when I can give it to you safely. And to the film studios, stop being foolish and holding back all of your works like they are food rations.

Sorry for the rant, folks…but I know far too many filmgoers to stay u[ worrying about which one will get sick in Cinema Seven come August 1.

Links Mentioned on The Eighth Dispatch:

Kurt’s Friday One Sheet series on Screen Anarchy

The vertical poster for THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER:

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

Enjoy!

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

3:01 Creature Comforts with Jolie Featherstone

22:42 The Feature: CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? (2018)

79:45 The Other Side: Jolie and Ryan talk further reading after Marielle Heller’s epic film

Thoughts From Your Host…

This is the part where I usually write about whatever happens to be swirling around my brain on the night before a show goes live. Here and now, I can tell you that what’s swirling is just “more of the same”.

Time is standing still, the world sucks, I miss my friends and my family.

What is on my mind right this second is that my original roadmap of Winchester Chronicles has almost reached its end. Maybe it was the optimist in me, but I really thought we would be going to movies again after seven or nine episodes (knowing that Dispatch no. 9 was going to drop in early/mid July).

Optimist or idiot? You decide.

This is my longwinded way of saying that I’m looking for future guests, future films, and future dispatches. Two more? Five more? Who knows. If you’re interested in coming on, please get in touch…

…lord knows it’s gonna take a little longer for all this “to blow over”

Links Mentioned on The Seventh Dispatch:

ELLE magazine’s interview with “Better Things” Pamela Adlon

The Unnamed Movie Podcast episode 339 where I did a guest appearance to discuss and review HBO Films’ BAD EDUCATION

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

Enjoy!

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

3:33 Creature Comforts with Corey Atad

24:53 The Feature: STORIES WE TELL (2012)

71:07 The Other Side: Corey and Ryan talk further reading after Sarah Polley’s epic film

Thoughts From Your Host…

It’s my birthday today. I type these words thankful that I get to celebrate another spin around the sun.

I’d be lying if I said that this was how I anticipated celebrating my name day. I’m still not working, but that’s nothing new. I haven’t been on the clock for my birthday my entire life, and if I can help it – I will keep things that way. But no, it’s not that.

It was bad enough that a bloody pandemic clamped down on the whole world and made sure that this would become a birthday spent in seclusion. Now, I have to watch as America burns…because of the same problem that has plagued it for so long…the same inequities..the same hatred…the same complete disregard for human life. This time though, it comes with a special extended dance mix…since the powers at the top really don’t care about how much of a mess they’ve made of things.

It’s fucked-up. There’s no other way to put it. Just plain and simply fucked-up.

I feel awful tweeting about anything that isn’t on-message. I feel like a heel getting lost in my headphones. It’s not guilt (I have plenty of that, thanks) – it’s that I am fucking someone else over by focusing on self-care, let alone celebrating turning another year older.

If I’m letting someone down and they’re reading this, I’m sorry. Please know that privately, I am spreading the truth and being a positive ally.

That’s the best I can offer today. A declaration that while I’m not exactly “celebrating”, I’m not crying about it since there are SO damned many who have things so much worse. In years past, I’d be travelling today, drinking with friends, getting out, getting around. Not today – today is about subdued reflection, and I’m at peace with the role.

Maybe next year there will be justice. Maybe next year there will be a cure. Maybe next year we will be able to look at what we collectively survived and find ourselves better for it.

Maybe next year, my birthday will be something to celebrate. This year, I just put this audio offering out into the world, and retreat to my balcony with a cup of coffee and a comic book.

Peace and love, y’all.

Links Mentioned on The Sixth Dispatch:

A consideration I wrote a few years back on SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN, and how it blurs the line between fact and truth.

The Reply-All Podcast’s episode “The Case of The Missing Hit“

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

Enjoy!

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

3:45 Creature Comforts with Jess Rogers

25:50 The Feature: BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (2012)

71:58 The Other Side: Jess and Ryan talk further reading after Benh Zeitlin’s epic film

Thoughts From Your Host…

I find myself conflicted this morning.

On the one hand, I want to return to life where we can enjoy things like going to concerts, going to movies, and lingering in a book shop or record store. I am a simple man, and I take pleasure in simple joys. I don’t need fancy clothes or lavish getaways – just give me a good book and an hour in a coffee shop, and I’m pleased as punch.

On the other hand, I see the lifting restrictions coming in that the world – both at-large and right outside my door – and I wonder if we’re ready.

I read about stories like Warner wanting TENET to relaunch the cinemagoing experience in a mere eight weeks…and I’m both reassured and terrified.

I’m not an anxious worry-wart. I’m not a bubble boy. I want life to resume, and resume with as many of the delights we had as recently as twelve weeks ago. But I don’t want it to come at the risk of our longterm well-being…and I can’t be sure that we’re there yet.

I have enough of these podcast episodes mapped-out to take us all to the end of July. I want to be able to safely say that regular programming can resume by then, but the key word in that sentence is “safely”.

Like I say: conflicted. I bet many of you feel the same. If you do, welcome to the club. If you don’t, lemme know how you’ve squared yourself to peace or panic…I could use a dose of clarity

Happy Victoria Day, Canada. Everywhere else, Happy Monday.

Note – I incorrectly cited “Silent No More” as a campaign to raise awareness for missing indigenous women. The worldwide campaign is actually for abortion rights. An invaluable campaign for sure, but obviously nothing to do with the topic at-hand. Apologies for the mix-up. – RM

Links Mentioned on The Fifth Dispatch:

An isolation-during-pandemic podcast, Staying In with Emily and Kumail.

“Eat and Love Yourself” – a new comic written and drawn by Sweeney Boo

“Educated“ – a memoir by Tara Westover

KIFARU – A documentary that is one of Jess’ Other Side selections

BRIMSTONE & GLORY – A documentary that is one of my Other Side selections

The story of FROZEN RIVER actor Misty Upham’s disappearance and death.

Matineecast 184 where Hillary Butler and I discuss WIND RIVER

Beyonce’s “Formation” video, which sometimes evokes the visual stylings of DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST:

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

Enjoy!

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

4:21 Creature Comforts with Brian J Roan

25:07 The Feature: BEGINNERS (2011)

64:26 The Other Side: Brian and Ryan talk further reading after Mike Mills’ epic film

Thoughts From Your Host…

I quote the prophet Reznor:

“Every day is exactly the same”

Still off work with most of the world is locked-up tight. In that situation. At least the sun finally broke through here in The Six this weekend and I was able to finally get out of the winter layers.

While every day may feel much like the other, I’m happy to report that I’ve been watching some pretty great selections that I’ve never seen before. Everything from the brand-spankin’-new (THE HALF OF IT – words on that coming this week), to older titles I’d long been meaning to catch up on (RED ROAD – goddamn what a movie!).

So while (most) every day is exactly the same, I’m happy to report that much of my pandemic has been spent watching new material. That’s not nuthin, right? Not binging, not watching beloved blockbusters for the fifteenth time – getting regular doses of new-to-me titles that are leaving an impression.

Some of them might even be mentioned in future dispatches! Stay tuned…stay safe.

Links Mentioned on The Fourth Dispatch:

National Theatre’s YouTube Channel where, during the pandemic, they are streaming several of their stage productions including the Frankenstein where Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Lee Miller alternated roles as The Doctor and The Monster (Frankenstein only available until 05/07/20)

Mike Mills’ short film with The National, I AM EASY TO FIND:

The National’s album of the same name where they credit Mike Mills as director:

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

Enjoy!

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

3:29 Creature Comforts with Hillary Butler

21:24 The Feature: CALL ME BY YOUR NAME (2017)

75:32 The Other Side: Hillary and Ryan talk further reading after Luca Guadagnino’s epic film

Thoughts From Your Host…

Thirty-five days ago when I introduced this series, I figured that we might only need to stem the tide with five or seven episodes. I sure hope y’all find my optimism endearing!

Ain’t no way we’re all getting back to multiplexes any time soon gang – and really that’s for the best. As much as I too miss little comforts like the crowd cheering an iconic moment, or that unhealthy snack that you simply must have, our personal health and the wellbeing of our community is far more important.

Heck, I just miss being able to turn off the world for two hours and sit in a dark room for two hour. How much would you give right now just to absolutely, positively unplug?

Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? You’d probably offer me five canisters of Lysol wipes, a six-pack of Purell, and forty eight rolls of three-ply, wouldn’t ya?

Alas, it is not to be…and again, that’s okay.

So here we are instead; looking backwards, doing virtually what we used to do physically, and keeping our spirits up. We have wine, we have music, we even take the time to talk some shit about people we love because you must enjoy the little things.

Five or seven dispatches of this podcast are a series are a certainty. I’d start laying bets over or under twelve…and y’know what? So be it.

We got this.

Links Mentioned on The Third Dispatch:

The Roots YouTube Feed where ?uestlove has been hosting nightly DJ sets.

Dua Lipa’s new album, Future Nostalgia

Songs from CALL ME BY YOUR NAME

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

Enjoy!

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

3:34 Creature Comforts with Andrew Robinson

15:56 The Feature: INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS (2013)

63:36 The Other Side: Andrew and Ryan talk further reading after The Coen Brothers’ epic film

Thoughts From Your Host…

Saturday night, I rewatched ONWARD now that it’s on-demand. I got to thinking about how I posted a podcast episode about that film just under a month ago…and how it seems more like a year.

I ain’t gonna sugarcoat it folks – this month has been hard. As a person of routine it’s been particularly hard.

I miss getting lost in my own thoughts in a crowd of people. I miss taking a moment or two with the people from the community that I recognize. Hell, I miss being able to sit somewhere and read a book for thirty minutes without worrying about how I’m enabling a pandemic (to be clear – I haven’t stopped and sat anywhere for many weeks now. Book or no book).

I wager many of you have things that you already miss. Maybe it’s swimming laps at the pool. Maybe it’s singing with fellow worshippers in your church on Sunday. Heck, maybe it’s going to the bar and drinking away a shitty workday with your friends.

It’s simple comforts we are missing – and right now, that’s what this show remains for me. It’s a comfort doing this; a comfort recording them, and a comfort publishing them. While I know fewer people are listening these days, I hope those who do likewise take comfort in these episodes.

Things are hard, but perhaps there can still be comforts in hard times.

Links Mentioned on The Second Dispatch:

Blokus – one of the board games that has Mister Robinson’s attention

“Wigwam” by Bob Dylan – a purely nonsensical song of sound

Chilly Gonzales deconstructs pop songs for 1LIVE:

Matineecast 176 where Carolyn Mauricette and I reviewed COLOSSAL

Matineecast 99 where Corey Atad and I reviewed THE BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN

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

Enjoy!

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

3:34 Creature Comforts with Carolyn Mauricette

16:23 The Feature: THE BABADOOK (2014)

57:59 The Other Side: Carolyn and Ryan talk further reading after Jennifer Kent’s epic film

Thoughts From Your Host…

Life is moving very moment-to-moment these days, isn’t it? One minute, the world order tells us one thing…the next minute, it’s a new set of rules. Things are changing so quick, that it can all seem like such a blur.

Take this show.

Two weeks ago, when I invited my guest on, it was to talk about a new release. One week after that, we needed to turn our attention as the film was delayed. Even the way we recorded needed to be changed since it quickly became irresponsible to sit down together.

This show was recorded Friday night, and as I sit here Sunday, things in life have changed again.

Moment-to-moment.

I’m proud of being able to do something like this right now. To put positive vibes out into the world and put my best foot forward. I never know what the next moment is going to bring, so I want to do my best for the moment I’m in.

I hope everyone who reads this is doing as well as can be – if only for this moment.

Links Mentioned on The First Dispatch:

The night my mother became my very own Babadook (Dear listeners, that’s my crib on the left:

Carolyn’s Creature Comfort – the make-up obsessed YouTube feed of Raw Beauty Kristi

Kate Beckinsale’s Harvey Weinstein story.

Carolyn’s Rue Morgue article on the special effects work in HEREDITARY

Matineecast Episode 201, where Caroline Hinds and I discussed HEREDITARY

Critic Noah Gittell’s personal reflections on trauma, grief, and depression after seeing THE INVISIBLE MAN

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

Enjoy!

Times are tough…but the show can go on.

Take care of yourselves and take a listen to hear about what we’re up to for the next little while.

Runtime
70 minutes

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

3:54 Know Your Enemy: Jim Laczkowski

25:23 The New Slang: ONWARD

54:38: ONWARD Spoiler Section

67:28 The Other Side: Jim and Ryan talk further reading after Pixar’s new film

Thoughts From Your Host…

Today’s episode features a passing mention of “Pump Up the Volume”.

It’s strange to think back on that movie because it’s thirty years old now, and to some degree I do what Christian Slater’s character does in that film. I may not be as fly-by-night and covert about it…and I may keep the conversation fixated on art and entertainment…

…but I turn on my mic every two weeks and try to speak from the heart. It’s an amazing opportunity to have, and one I truly cherish. I may be having difficulties writing these days, but at the very least I can still talk (hard).

I have good memories associated with that film, and bad ones too. But at the end of it all, I still believe that there is a power that comes being a voice in the darkness…and it’s a power I don’t take lightly. It’s a power that many people around me (including-and-especially todays guest) have helped to stoke.

I like to talk, and I’m honoured that you have come here to listen to me talk. Please know that I can listen to – listen to thoughts about film or all manner of other things.

So if my talking isn’t doing it for ya and you need someone to listen, I’m here.

Links Mentioned on Episode 242:

Lucy:

A post shared by Jim Laczkowski (@nowplayingjim) on Apr 28, 2019 at 7:04am PDT

The Directors Club Podcast, which James has reclaimed hosting duties – and which I once appeared on to discuss Michel Gondry

Pump Up the Volume conversation with Andrew Robinson

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

Enjoy!