The Matineecast

Runtime
92 minutes

Show Contents:

0:00 Introduction

4:28 Know Your Enemy: Kurt Halfyard

28:35 The New Slang: THE DEAD DON’T DIE

69:04 The Other Side: Kurt and Ryan talk further reading after Jim Jarmusch’s new film

Thoughts From Your Host…

First things first – you might notice a bit of a different look around The Matinee these days. Had to do a bit of an emergency renovation over the long weekend. Expect more changes in the coming weeks, but for now, I do hope you enjoy the look of the place.

As for the episode at hand,I must say that I enjoyed leaning back a bit and letting my guest steer the ship. The conversation is a little looser, and a bit more sprawling than usual, but that’s quite emblematic of the sorts of conversations I have with today’s guest. They take turns, twist in loops, go on and on, and are ultimately time very well-spent.

It seldom matters if the film is good or bad – with friends like Kurt, there are always things to be discussed about what we just saw.

So as the summer holidays begin in-earnest, grab whatever combonation of coffee and cigarettes tickles you most, turn-up the Sturgill Simpson, and enjoy two-twenty-six.

Links Mentioned on Episode 226:

SPACEBALLS poster unearthed on the side of a Midtown Toronto shop:

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

Runtime

Show Contents:

0:00 Introduction

3:24 Know Your Enemy: Ariel Fisher

19:19 The New Slang: BOOKSMART

64:08 The Other Side: Ariel and Ryan talk further reading after Olivia Wilde’s new film

Thoughts From Your Host…

The conversation you hear before you was recorded on June 12th, 2109. On June 13th, 2019, this years NBA Finals was decided, and my world was turned upside-down.

The immediate aftermath was a blur of true joy – going out into a neighbourhood where people barely nod at each other on the streets, and hugging and high-fiving like we’d won a war. People rode on the sides of garbage trucks, they toasted with champagne, they climbed lamp posts, and set off fireworks.

I didn’t know there were this many people who cared about basketball in my entire city – let alone in my own neighbourhood. Heck, as it was I had to bring Ariel up-to-speed on what was coming because she’s been out-of-town.

Unfortunately, the day dedicated to celebrating it all was blemished by someone who wanted to prove some sort of a point and make a violent point. It could have been much worse…but still, what was supposed to be a day of pure joy was handed a moment of confusion and panic.

Things can change just like that.

So as I finally close the book on basketball season, and tend to the nifty sunburn I got myself, I’m grateful for another day with those I hold near & dear…including the guest on this show!

No more basketball between now and next episode, so it will post on-time. Promise. I think.

Links Mentioned on Episode 225:

Ariel discusses why LADY BIRD was her number one film of 2017 on the  Year-End Matineecast (At 1:37:09 of the show)

Ariel’s works on Atom Insider

The tee Ariel was sporting for our wonderful discussion, “A Debra Hill Production”

The Horror Queers Podcast, where Ariel will soon be appearing on an episode dedicated to GINGER SNAPS.

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

Enjoy!

Runtime

Show Contents:

0:00 Introduction

3:13 Know Your Enemy: Andrew Robinson

26:30 The New Slang: RAGING BULL

64:30 The Other Side: Andrew and Ryan talk further reading after Martin Scorsese’s classic film

Thoughts From Your Host…

I turned one year older this weekend. Crazy how that happens, ain’t it?

Once upon a time, I was all about staging a great big to-do for my birthday, but that managed to ebb with time. Since then, the way I personally mark my birthday has waxed and waned from year-to-year. On this podcast though, it’s a different story.

For the last seven years, I’ve dedicated one show a year to the people I care about and the movies I love…and if I do say so myself, it’s turned into a great little tradition! It’s fostered some wonderful conversations, allowed me some memorable moments on-mic with some of my best friends, and turned this show’s attention to some of the greatest films of all-time.

Today, it’s all of the above.

Like many of you, there are times I wish I was dealt a better hand…but as I start my forty-second trip around the sun, I must admit that I’ve been pulled a lot of aces from the deck over the years. I’m a lucky dude to have friends like today’s guest, witness incredible art like today’s topic, and reach out to such engaging audience members like you.

So as I enjoy some much-needed time off, and have myself a piece of cake for breakfast, allow me to thank you for spending time with me…both on my birthday, and on any other day you’ve decided to drop by.

Links Mentioned on Episode 224:

Andrew’s piece on this site reconsidering the films of Michael Mann

The Unnamed Movie Podcast on UNDER THE SKIN

Matineecast 103 discussing THE WOLF OF WALL STREET

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

Enjoy!

Runtime

Show Contents:

0:00 Introduction

5:15 Know Your Enemy: Jolie Featherstone

25:43 The New Slang: NON-FICTION

Thoughts From Your Host…

Funny thing happened on the way to “a shorter show”. You see, dear listener, I fully had it in my head that cutting out a whole section would lead to a shorter episode, and because of that I wasn’t watching the clock.

As if it wasn’t strange enough that my guest and I talked about this week’s film of choice for a little more than 45 minutes, our camaraderie is strong enough that we were able to keep the feel and the flow going with little editing required! So while I thought I was going to have to turn in something toned-down in order to watch the end of a certain TV show…turns out much of my work was done for me.

I should buy my guest a latte or two!

Yet another week where we’re talking about a film a little bit off the beaten path, but I do hope people will track it down and give it a watch. Assayas truly is one of my favorite directors working these days, and his movies are like sipping on a full-bodied glass of wine after a steady diet of franchise film cheeseburgers.

So as I clear my schedule for Thursday knowing there will be a fifth game of playoff basketball at least, and as fireworks crackle outside of my Canadian window, I welcome you fine folks into summer with a good discussion about a good film…accompanied by a very good friend.

Links Mentioned on Episode 223:

Jolie’s piece at Wylie Writes on POMS

Jolie’s piece at Wylie Writes on THE HUSTLE

Jolie’s piece at Wylie Writes on TOLKIEN

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

Enjoy!

Runtime

Show Contents:

0:00 Introduction

2:51 Know Your Enemy: Bob Turnbull

25:24 The New Slang: HIGH LIFE

62:57 The Other Side: Bob and Ryan talk further reading after Claire Denis’ new film

Thoughts From Your Host…

If you know anything about me, you know that I love me my superheroes. The last six months or so have had them front and centre in my brain. So is it strange to be leaving the biggest comic book event off this podcast in the name of a cerebral sci-fi film far fewer people have seen?

Maybe a little.

However, as much fun as I’ve been having discussing ENDGAME with all of my friends, I like having singular discussions about projects that are a little more off the beaten path. Heck, I promise you that if I dedicated this episode to ENDGAME, it wouldn’t have come with near as much cursing.

Think I don’t use the F-word enough on this show? Get ready.

And so it goes that a show recorded during one Raptors playoff game and published during another comes to pass. I sincerely hope that I’m still distracted by The Heroes of The Hardcourt by the time 223 rolls around!

Links Mentioned on Episode 222:

Episode 171 and discussion of “Ryan is Wrong”

Episode 144 with Other Side discussion of Soderbergh’s SOLARIS

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

Enjoy!

Runtime

Show Contents:

0:00 Introduction

2:42 Know Your Enemy: Carolyn Hinds

20:18The New Slang: GUAVA ISLAND

54:51 The Other Side: Carolyn and Ryan talk further reading after Hiro Murai’s new film

Thoughts From Your Host…

I’m pretty proud of getting this episode out on time, dear listeners. You see between three family dinners, Recod Store Day, basketball playoffs, hockey playoffs, a minor emergency, and silly nerdy pursuits like Game of Thrones…the last week just flew. I barely had time to get a good night’s sleep, let alone record and edit a full podcast episode.

Related: That lack of sleep is the reason there hasn’t been much writing around here lately…a trend I shall remedy soon.

As for the subject at-hand, it marks the third time this year already that the podcast has turned its attention to works that can be watched at home – after episodes dedicated to VELVET BUZZSAW and HIGH FLYING BIRD. Actually, if you count ROMA, it’s the fourth time in six months.

It’s not a trend I expected, but it’s becoming increasingly hard to deny the cinematic value and scope of works that sidestep the theatrical presentation entirely. While I’m not ready for this show to become continually picking from online platforms, the fact of the matter remains that there is a great deal of quality and curiosity contained on our various wifi-enabled gizmos.

If the multiplex is going to continue to be the land of the franchises, and this podcast generally eschews franchise films as points of discussion, then I owe it to myself and to you dear listener to consider these platforms. Once upon a time “straight to DVD’, or “straight to cable” was a black mark on a given project. No longer.

So if that means we find ourselves on The Matineecast discussing projects like UNICORN STORE, or HOMECOMING, or LEAVING NEVERLAND…then so much the better.

Links Mentioned on Episode 221:

The Kent Test.

Carolyn’s interview with director Xavier Burgen.

Carolyn’s review of MASTER Z

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

Enjoy!

Runtime

Show Contents:

0:00 Introduction

2:42 Know Your Enemy: Jonathan Barkan

22:52 The New Slang: PET SEMATARY

63:26 The Other Side: Jonathan and Ryan talk further reading after Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer’s new film

Thoughts from your host…

Two horror episodes in a row? What is happening here on The Matineecast?? Must be something in the water…or in today’s case, the wine.

This is the sort of show I hope to capture every time I sit down to capture a show. There are laughs, there are thoughts, there is introspection, there are suggestions, and there is a really good conversation at the centre of it.

The interesting thing is that all of that came from an unexpected source: not just a big, glossy mainstream film – but a scary one at that! I keep bringing different people on to this show to challenge my perceptions and have an effect on my point of view. I’m happy to report that I got both in the most wonderful way on two-twenty.

One last thing – thanks to a mild change in venue, the audio of this episode comes with a bit of an echo. I don’t think it takes away from the sound of the conversation too much, but please pardon the unnecessary ambiance.

Links Mentioned on Episode 220:

Jonathan’s SXSW interview with the cast and crew of PET SEMATARY.

Dread Central’s Gender bashing post on AUDITION’S Asami.

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

Enjoy!

Runtime

Show Contents:

0:00 Introduction

3:13 Know Your Enemy: Carolyn Mauricette

17:37 The New Slang: US

53:17 **Spoiler Section** of US Review

64:61 The Other Side: Carolyn and Ryan talk further reading after Jordan Peele’s new film

Thoughts from your host…

Anyone who’s ever been a part of this podcast will tell you that I tend to keep one hand firmly on the tiller. There’s ground rules and guidelines that help me create a better show at the end, even if a lot of my returning guests have fun bending and breaking those rules and guidelines.

Sometimes though, even I feel a desire to loosen up. Sometimes the energy in the room is so much fun that I find myself leaving more in…allowing more digressions…”colouring outside the lines” as the old saying goes.

This was one of those episodes.

My guest and I – both hopped up on cold meds – had so much fun discussing the symbolism and metaphors within the main film up for discussion, and with so many other films that we digress to. The result is a show that’s on the longer side – and gets VERY spoilerific – but was so much fun to unleash.

Thinking back, I can’t help but be struck with how much I enjoyed the film up for discussion and so many of the others that get drawn into the fray. The funny thing is, so many times over, you will hear me say to my guest “This is your genre…”. And yet, with every passing year, I’m beginning to feel more and more a kinship with the genre myself.

So pardon the occasional sniffle and the Tylenol-fueled laughing fits, and get ready to pull the new Jordan Peele movie apart thread by thread.

Links Mentioned on Episode 219:

The poster for DEATH LINE aka RAW MEAT

Carolyn’s presentation of THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS in Toronto

Blood in The Snow’s Spring Tour line-ups for Ottawa and Kingston.

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

Enjoy!

Runtime

Show Contents:

0:00 Introduction

2:42 Know Your Enemy: Hillary Butler

17:00 The New Slang: CAPTAIN MARVEL

53:00 The Other Side: Hillary and Ryan talk further reading after Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck’s new film

Thoughts from your host…

This week feels like the culmination of something.

If you listen to this show, odds are pretty good you know a thing or two about me. If you know a thing or two about me, odds are pretty good that you’ve noticed me working one particular superhero more and more into my day-to-day. If you’ve noticed that, odds are you might well have wondered why.

Superheroes have woven their way in and out of my life for as long as I can remember. Sometimes my interest in them waned for long stretches; sometimes they were seemingly all I could talk about. The medium of comics (and the adaptations they would eventually spawn) found ways of speaking to me when I needed some speaking to…

…the same way the right song can mend a wounded soul, or the right dish can taste like home.

Five years ago, when I first heard that Marvel Studios was making a movie about a character I knew in name-only, I grew curious. I started reading, and reading, and reading. I discovered a complicated character that had been flying under the radar for forty-five years, and grew more and more fascinated with every passing month.

I saw myself in her flaws, recognized her weaknesses and mistakes, and felt encouraged that she could rise above them. My whole life, I’d been enamoured by tales of gods…heroes steeped in altruism. I knew I couldn’t be these icons, but it never stopped me from trying. Now here I was seeing someone whose powers I certainly didn’t have, but whose weaknesses sometimes echoed my own…and whose example of determination I could follow.

Reading lead to talking. Talking lead to suggesting. Suggesting lead to identifying.

A million conversations, a whole lot of merch, and a few dozen tweets later, I’m not about to say “Thanks, That Was Fun”…but this movie, this episode, and this week feel like some sort of expanse that a long trail in the woods has finally brought me to.

I’m a lucky dude. I’m lucky that I was here to witness such a joyful character evolution. I’m lucky that I have friends and family that don’t mock me for my obsessions, and sometimes even encourage it, and I’m lucky that I have a platform where I can give my passions true perspective…instead of just yelling “She’s So Cool!!” over and over for years.

If my obsession has annoyed you, I apologize. If my obsession has made you curious, I’m happy to take you further down the rabbit hole. If it’s something in-between, I thank you deeply for letting me be me and not making me feel silly for my love of books with pictures.

This weekend, this film, and this episode are the culmination of something…but certainly not the end.

Links Mentioned on Episode 218:

Pop Culture Detective’s video essay “THE CASE AGAINST THE JEDI ORDER”

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

Enjoy!

Runtime

Show Contents:

0:00 Introduction

2:42 Know Your Enemy: Brian J Roan

17:00 The New Slang: HIGH FLYING BIRD

53:00 The Other Side: Brian and Ryan talk further reading after Steven Soderbergh’s new film

Thoughts from your host…

I do hope you’ll pardon me dishing off the rock where shownotes are concerned, but I’m still nursing the Oscar Night hangover, including having to swallow the bitter pill of the terrible selection The Academy just handed Best Picture to.

I hope to get some additional content into this space in a day or two, but for now I just worship at the altar of Cuarón and hope you enjoy our talk of The Game On Top of The Game.

Thanks for tuning into episode two-hundred-seventeen.

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

Enjoy!