This year I kept things much lower-key than I have in the past, and perhaps in a sign of my old age, I found it very much to my liking. As I moved to and for through my wonderfully low-key birthday weekend, I was kept in a constant state of joy thanks to the many well-wishes that were getting sent to me by my fellow bloggers and podcasters. So while I’ve said it a few times already, let me say it once more: I’m a lucky man to have the sort of readers, listeners, friends, and family that I do.

As for the podcast, it gets in on the birthday celebration by continuing the newfound tradition of discussing an old favorite. Considering how much I’ve latched on to Billy Wilder over the last twelve months, the choice of film was a no-brainer. As for my guest, I reached out to someone who has become as good of a friend as one could want for, and has done it with a great deal of generosity and grace.

Finally, I made one more change to the show. I know last week I said that going forward I would be using My Morning Jacket as the official theme song of The Matineecast, but in listening back, I didn’t feel like it struck quite the note I wanted. So this week, I’ve gone with a different choice – one that I’m more apt to stick with going forward.

The Birthday party os just about over, but there’s still tea and cake. So help yourself and listen in as I start my 35th spin around the sun.

Here’s what’s in store in episode eighty-six…

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Up for Discussion

1. Introduction

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

Enjoy!

I might well use a special tune in honour of the film being discussed (as was the case with the SKYFALL episode), but going forward look for this track by My Morning Jacket to kick things off.

Speaking of changes – I’m also looking to replace the “Welcome to Wherever You Are” graphic if anyone wants to hook me up with a graphic designer.

As for the activities at hand, I hope you get good and comfy for this episode because it’s a long one. If I wanted to be ruthless, I could have cut it down to size, but the truth is I found the discussion just way too much fun. Therefore, I present to you the longest single-guest episode I’ve ever posted, and the third longest episode overall.

Here’s what’s in store in episode eighty-five…

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Up for Discussion

1. Introduction

You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS

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

Enjoy!

I do hope y’all enjoyed the audio component of my 2013 Hot Docs coverage, but  now three weeks and three director interviews later, The Matineecast Classic has returned.

Ordinarily, the show seems to come out of the festival and launch into discussion of a Marvel movie. This year though, our attention is turned towards Baz Luhrmann. As much as I’ve enjoyed covering Marvel movies every May, I gotta say this is a welcome switch.

As for my guest, I’m pretty excited to be welcoming her to the show. I’ve been going back and forth with her for months on episodes she might be interested in, and her enthusiasm for dropping by was really encouraging. Hopefully she likes the result, and hopefully I don’t drown her out with TOO much talking.

Here’s what’s in store in episode eighty-four…

Runtime

Up for Discussion

1. Introduction

You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS

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

Enjoy!

I had just started getting used to the short dispatches these Hot Docs episodes were becoming, when along came a great discussion that turned out to run the length of a normal Matineecast episode! Who knew there would be so much to say about Republicans in Iowa?

The great thing about this discussion is that beyond the film up for discussion itself, I’m able to get my guest to share a few insightful thoughts on nonfiction film in general.

Here’s what’s in store in part three…

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Up for Discussion

CAUCUS conversation with director AJ Schnack.

CAUCUS has wrapped up its Hot Docs debut. The film’s website with info about screenings is this-a-way.

You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS

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

Enjoy!

Sometimes you find a film, sometimes a film finds you. In the run-up to Hot Docs I was given a whole mittful of titles to go through, and right around the time I thought I’d watched as much as I could in advance, I found myself saying “just one more.

The Matineecast stays nonfiction as I sit down with a the director of this beautiful film at the 20th annual Hot Docs Film Festival.

The moment this film was done, I immediately reached out to the filmmaker in the hopes we could discuss his work. Luckily for me, he agreed.

Here’s what’s in store in part two…

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Up for Discussion

BLOOD BROTHER conversation with director Steve Hoover.

If you’re interested in seeing BLOOD BROTHERS at Hot Docs, showtimes and ticket info can be found here. The film’s website with info about screenings is this-a-way.

You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS

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

Enjoy!

What would happen in ALMOST FAMOUS if William Miller had a hard time fitting in on the road with Stillwater? Well it might play out a bit like MISTAKEN FOR STRANGERS.

The Matineecast goes nonfiction as I sit down with a truly unconventional and unforgettable director at the 20th annual Hot Docs Film Festival.

What’s even better is when the film’s director takes the time to sit down and talk about it with you…even if it does take five or ten minutes to find him at the agreed-upon meeting place.

Here’s what’s in store in part one…

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Up for Discussion

MISTAKEN FOR STRANGERS conversation with director Tom Berninger.

If you’re interested in seeing MISTAKEN FOR STRANGERS at Hot Docs, showtimes and ticket info can be found here. The film’s website with info about screenings is this-a-way.

You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS

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

Enjoy!

My guest jokingly mentions that he wonders how many people will hear his handiwork, since the titles we discuss are all rather indie and likely lesser-seen. He raises a good point, since I know a lot of people skip episodes on films they haven’t seen (hence discussions on GINGER & ROSA or THE FP get lesser exposure.

I respond by saying something I’m not sure I’ve expressed until right now – that it’s these sorts of films that interest me more as a podcaster, since they get less exposure and often prompt greater discussion. I mean, this weekend I could have been the 150th movie podcast talking about OBLIVION, but what can I bring to the table to set this conversation apart from the other 149? Further, what’s left to say about a blockbuster like OBLIVION?

It is true that these sorts of episodes get less plays, but I’m hoping to slowly start reversing that.

Who knows? It could make for a whole new direction for the show!

Here’s what’s in store in episode eighty-three…

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Up for Discussion

1. Introduction

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

Enjoy!

Great guest, less than sexy feature review.

Episode 81’s main review wasn’t as attractive as some because the film itself was lacklustre. Episode 82 on the other hand features a fantastic film for the main review, but one that is low-profile and probably not widely seen. Once again though, the discussion is fun. So even if you haven’t seen the main attraction, I think my guest and I will still be able to entertain you.

This episode allowed for a little bit of closure for me since it gave me one last moment to articulate a few thoughts on Roger Ebert. I was quietly appreciative that Dor added in a few thoughts and memories of her own, since it brought a welcome switch from mourning into the aether.

Here’s what’s in store in episode eighty-one…

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Up for Discussion

1. Introduction

You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS

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

Enjoy!

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the abundance of Backstreet Boys in this episode was inspired when I learned in the run-up to the episode that Mr. Roan is an unabashed fan.

Sadly, I forgot to ask him to explain within the runtime of the show, but perhaps he’ll grace us with some clarity in the comment section.

Here’s what’s in store in episode eighty-one…

Runtime

Up for Discussion

1. Introduction

You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS

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

Enjoy!

Hot on the heels of my 2000th post, I bring on a blogger who has kept me pushing forward. You see she drops by this space early and often and has long been supportive of what I do – and little does she know that there are a lot of days where that really provides me a boost.

Admittedly, there are other films I would have enjoyed discussing with her more than the new release we selected. However, the biggest restriction with bringing in international guests is that you’re at the mercy of international release schedules.

Still – she brought a great deal of charm and enthusiasm to the show, so who am I to complain.

Here’s what’s in store in episode eighty…

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Up for Discussion

1. Introduction

You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS

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

Enjoy!