The Matineecast

There’s something slightly criminal about how long it took to get today’s guest back on The Matineecast for another kick at the can. Earlier this year, I joked that Mike Mendez would hold the record for the longest stretch between episodes, but with about a fifty episode gap, today’s guest gives that record a run.

People joke with me about who I bring on this show and when, but I shake my head to myself as I wrestle with when to schedule new guests and when to bring guests back.

With all that in mind, I hope you enjoy this episode. It took a little more effort than usual, but I think he results are worth it. We bring back a new feature that was launched just two episodes back, and we unveil the meaning behind that curious stinger that closed out episode sixty-one.

It was a hot night in both Toronto and Boston, so I hope you’ll excuse the slight echo of an air conditioner on Alex’s side of the line. She offered to turn it off, but what kind of sadistic host would that make me?

Here’s what’s in store in episode sixty-two…

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Up for Discussion

1. Introduction

More behind the scenes info on this episode can be found on Twitter by searching out #matm62

Part one of The Podcast Trilogy – via Dear Film – 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 energy is a little bit low for episode sixty-one, and for that I beg a bit of patience considering we were at the mercy of a wicked time-zone difference. Precious few times have I recorded a podcast episode where the host is getting up early and the guest is staying up late, but that’s exactly what we had here.

Once again, I bring you an episode where I discuss a film rather quickly after watching it, and before I got a chance to flesh out my thoughts and write about it. I’d say that this was becoming a trend, but happily I already know that I’ll be getting back to normal for episode 63 in two weeks. I wonder if there will be an audible difference?

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I wish at the age of seventeen I had the cinematic taste that this week’s guest does. maybe then, I’d be further ahead of the game and not just catching up with French New Wave, Italian Neo-Realism, and the wonderful melodrama of Powell & Pressburger. Makes me wonder how film-savvy she’s gonna be when she’s my age!

Oh, and there’s a little something extra in this episode…I wonder if anybody will notice.

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

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Up for Discussion

1. Introduction

More behind the scenes info on this episode can be found on Twitter by searching out #matm61

You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS

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

Enjoy!

Norma Desmond said she still was big, and that it was the pictures that got small. Maybe she was right…then again, maybe not.

There are a few bumps and bruises along the way in this episode, but I think it still works very well. Truthfully, this sort of four-person, two boys/two girls dynamic was what I wanted to trot out for every IBD episode. Here’s hoping I can do it more often! For this show, the four of us talked about the changing face of movie stars, and what it takes to be one and stay one nowadays.

My guests this week include a podcasting vet, and two rookies. The old hand is Corey Pierce from CriticalMassCast; the newbies are Danielle D’Ornellas and Titania Plant. The four of us got

To recap the concept of this offshoot – expect to see these episodes turning up once a month. My intention is for them to be a bit more raw (there are almost no cuts in this conversation), a bit shorter, with no rules, and less of a pecking order on who sits down at the table.

Enjoy!

So here’s the thing…

I’m actually not all that fussy about granting requests for specific guest spots on The Matineecast. While I’m not looking to force people to watch something they’re going to dislike, I also don’t really want to bring people in to discuss a film I know they’ll love. I’ve done that in the past and the results have been…spotty.

However, sometimes you just can’t deny enthusiasm. Such was the case when I agreed to this episode back in January.

I’m actually curious what listeners will think of this episode, since it marks the beginning of a new feature. In a few ways, I think it really changes the dynamic of the show…but a little change can be a good thing. Of course, what I think is not nearly as important as what you – the listener – thinks. So let me know how the new feature suits your palette.

Oh, and that enthusiastic request? The end-result was pretty fuckin’ good. So maybe I should start taking requests more often.

Maybe…

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

Runtime

Up for Discussion

1. Introduction

More behind the scenes info on this episode can be found on Twitter by searching out #matm60

You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS

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

Enjoy!

This week The Matineecast is a birthday celebration. It’s not the show’s birthday (that happens in November), but my own. And since much of the show’s first year and a half have been archived, you might not know it, but the show actually has a birthday tradition.

I could explain it here, but then what reason would you have to listen to the show?

What I will mention here though is how grateful I am to this week’s guest for stepping in at the last minute and being such a badass guest! I’m a bit of a demanding host in the way that I rely on the kindness of strangers, and moments like this make me feel lucky to know such smart and outgoing bloggers.

So grab a piece of cake and pull on your doofy headphones; it’s time to talk about a film that’s a personal favorite and sing the praises of those that inspire us.

Here’s what’s in store in episode fifty-nine…

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Up for Discussion

1. Introduction

Blogs and Podcasts Discussed in The Best of You

Cinematic Paradox

More behind the scenes info on this episode can be found on Twitter by searching out #matm59

You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS

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

Enjoy!

“…Let me root, root, root for The Blue Jays, if they don’t win it’s a shame”

Tried something a little different after five shows. It was such a lovely day here in Toronto that staying cooped up in a diner wouldn’t do. So we put on our caps and jerseys, and headed on down to the Toronto Blue Jays game to record our show during batting practice. I can’t say that I’m going to make a habit of it or anything, but it was certainly a fun experiment.

I want to put up a bit of an apology in advance, because I realize in hindsight that this discussion was less about me asking questions of my guests and more me just making points and having them agree or disagree. Sorry about that, next time I’ll map things out a bit more carefully.

My guests this week are two dear friends that make my work days that much more endurable. As it happens, they themselves are also accomplished podcasters who host The Mind Reels – a show that brings in some badass guests! So when you’re done here, be sure to go over to their site and give a few of their shows a listen.

To recap the concept of this offshoot – expect to see these episodes turning up once a month. My intention is for them to be a bit more raw (there are almost no cuts in this conversation), a bit shorter, with no rules, and less of a pecking order on who sits down at the table.

Enjoy!

I’ll readily admit that in some respects our conversation about the blockbuster of 2012 (so far) might feel like a day late, what with the film already playing for ten days in North America. Hopefully though, you aren’t Avenger’d out just yet. If so, I’m sorry to add to the white noise – most of the rest of this summer’s shows should happen in a more timely fashion.

I hope y’all got your fill of nourishment during the three Hot Docs episodes, because it’s nothing but calorie laden popcorn from now until September.

Here’s what’s in store in episode fifty-eight…

Runtime

Up for Discussion

1. Introduction

More behind the scenes info on this episode can be found on Twitter by searching out #matm58

You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS

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

Enjoy!

I’m really going to miss talking with directors, producers, and stars about the films they make…think I can arrange something with Joss Whedon for Matineecast 58? In wrapping up the audio component of my Hot Docs coverage, I sat down with the team behind a film that really stood out for me. It dared to do things a little bit differently, and tell a slightly familiar story in an unfamiliar way.

Here’s a glimpse at what they have done…

You might be able to hear some weariness in my voice with this discussion being recorded on the final day.

Here’s what’s in store in part three…

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Up for Discussion

My WAITING ROOM discussion with director Pete Nicks and producer Bill Hirsch.

If you’re interested in getting a look at THE WAITING ROOM, or all of the other wonderful media content Pete and Bill have created for the project, the website 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!

Seriously folks – I love getting into new music. Even if it’s not brand-spankin’ new (which it never is), just the fact that it’s new to me will mean that it’ll be chiming through my big doofy headphones on repeat for weeks. So getting to soak up a documentary *and* getting into a new soul singer at the same time? Heaven.

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 two…

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Up for Discussion

My CHARLES BRADLEY: SOUL OF AMERICA discussion with director Poull Brien.

If you’re interested in seeing SOUL OF AMERICA at Hot Docs, showtimes and ticket info can be found here. The film’s website with info about screenings is this-a-way More of Charles Bradley’s music 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!

Saturday night found me in the middle of a conversation I was highly anticipating – namely with the talent behind my favorite doc of the festival so far, and the fascinating man the film is about.

The director telling the story is Neil Berkeley, whose film BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING had its first Hot Docs showing last night. The man at the centre of the story is Wayne White, and he is every bit as engaging in person as he is within the scope of the film.

The two men were nice enough to chat with me on Markham Street on a balmy evening

Here’s what’s in store in part one…

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Up for Discussion

My BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING discussion with director Neil and star Wayne White.

If you’re interested in seeing BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING at Hot Docs, showtimes and ticket info can be found here. The film’s website with info about screenings is over yonder. More of Wayne’s artwork 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!