The Royal Canadian Movie Podcast

This week, Becky sits down with Jeremy LaLonde and Aaron Abrams about their latest film The Go-Getters. This raw, antic and profane award-winning comedy from Northern Banner Releasing is jam packed with Canadian talent bringing their comedy “A” game.

Check out the film right now on iTunes or a VOD service near you, then come on back for the chat!

This week, we’re joined by actress, writer and producer Dharini Woollcombe who brings us the unusual 2003 indie darling, My Life Without Me.

Not your usual “dying of cancer” sob story, this challenging film deals with a lot of ethical issues surrounding the choices we make - in an at times whimsical way. With a stacked cast, including Sarah Polley, Amanda Plummer, Scott Speedman, Mark Ruffalo and a surprise cameo by Alfred Molina, if you’re in the mood for a darker…but possibly uplifting reminder of just how great an actress Sarah Polley is, you won’t want to miss this one.

My Life Without Me is currently streaming on Netflix in Canada.

This week, filmmaker Barb Briggs bring us an epic story of sex, passion and the high stakes world of instrument auctions - 1998’s ambitious The Red Violin.

The direct follow-up to Don McKellar and François Girard’s 32 short films about Glenn Gould, this ambitious film shot in 5 countries, over 60 shooting days, with 85 speaking parts in 5 languages. We make sure we fill you in on all the gory shooting details, who was meant to play the Samuel L. Jackson role, and the real story behind the violin.

Keep an eye out for Canadian favorites Julian Richings, Colm Feore, and a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameos by Rémy Girard and Sandra Oh.

The Red Violin is blessedly available on Netflix in Canada and more than likely at a library near you.

Last year, we went to Avonlea with our guest for the Christmas Special. this year, we went straight to the source of all things Anne, Avonlea, and so much more - the head of Sullivan Entertainment himself - Kevin Sullivan.

In addition to chatting with him about Anne of Green Gables, and what he’s up to right now, we asked Kevin to bring his favourite film from the Sullivan Entertainment catalogue. He delivered a film with a stacked cast and an awesome development back story - 2003’s The Piano Man’s Daughter.

Candid and heartfelt, you won’t want to miss this episode about a decades long career making beloved film and television as well as shared stories about our favourite Canadian actress Jackie Burroughs, and iconic casting director and actress Diane Polley.

The Piano Man’s Daughter as well as the entire back catalogue of Sullivan Entertainment can be found on the Gazebo TV Streaming Service. https://www.gazebotv.com/

Happy Holidays everyone!

This week, Becky sits down with Jessica Greco and Jessica Hinkson about their new short film Jessica Jessica. They chat about theatre school in New York, their exciting journey with this film, utilizing personal stories in their work, and what’s coming up for them soon.

The full film is available on CBC.ca as part of the Canadian Reflections series. https://watch.cbc.ca/media/media/canadian-reflections/episode-176/38e815a-00fd7fb51cc

This week, Becky sits down with one of her very dearest friends, actress Emma Pedersen to take part in a North American holiday tradition - the watching of a Hallmark Movie! Becky tapped friend of the show Mark Junop, who works for a Hallmark movie producing company to suggest his favorite - and thus, of the hundreds of Hallmark movies, 2013’s A Very Merry Mixup was selected.

Emma’s been around the block when it comes to Hallmark movies, having auditioned for dozens and been in one herself. She’s the perfect person to insightfully discuss why people LOVE these movies.

We go deep on this one, from the origins of the Hallmark Channel, the beats of the Hallmark Christmas Movie, our theories about why they’re so popular and our big city reflections on the values that they contain. (Hey, Hallmark, you won me over, but lay off the Tofu!)

Make sure to stay to the end to hear Emma’s theory on how the Edward Snowden scandal may have affected A Very Merry Mixup.

A Very Merry Mixup may not be rotation on TV, but you can check it out on the Hallmark streaming service.

It’s all love this week as Becky sits down with filmmaker Alfons Adetuyi about his latest film Love Jacked. Known mostly for his stunning dramas and documentaries and for being the first person in Canada to initiate co-pros with South Africa, Alfon’s latest film is a hilarious ensemble rom-com. With a stacked cast, feel good moments and stunning scenery, what else could you possibly ask for?

They have a great chat about the strengths that can come from casts and crews of different nationalities, attempting to keep up with talented improvisers on camera and the secret sauce of making an effective rom-com.

Love Jacked is currently in theatres across Canada. For showtimes and VOD release dates make sure to visit the website: https://lovejackedthefilm.com/

Things get heated this week as Becky lets regular guest host Paul Stachniak and one of his best friends, Rob Sachs talk her into watching BOTH Silent Hill film adaptations. Paul and Rob genuinely love the video games and the first film (we’ll get to the deservedly maligned sequel in this episode) and do their best to convince Becky that it’s not only a successful video game adaptation, but also a perfectly serviceable film. The second movie everyone just tries to figure out what went horribly wrong with this film the writer/director has publicly denounced.

This comprehensive episode is everything you could ever possibly want to know about both Silent Hill films, the stories behind them, and what should go in to making a video game adaptation.

Silent Hill 1 is available on Netflix in Canada. Silent Hill: Revelation 3D is available on VOD.

This week, actress and comedian Daphne Joseph brings us a decidedly not funny film, 2010’s stunning Incendies. Nominated for best foreign language feature at the Academy Awards, this mystery/family drama/war horror is not for the faint of heart - but is well worth your time investment. One of Denis Villeneuve’s first breakthrough pictures, we discuss his work as a whole, the way he uses humour in tense moments, his skill as a visual filmmaker, and his remarkable work ethic.

Trigger warnings for this film, but it is available on Netflix!

This week’s end credit music is You and Who’s Army, by Radiohead.

This week, Becky sits down with filmmaker Lowell Dean to talk about his new film SuperGrid, as well as his earlier films, Eerie 13, Wolfcop and Another Wolfcop.

Utilizing the landscape of his home province of Saskatchewan to a tee, this post apocalyptic action adventure follows the story of two estranged brothers (Leo Fafard WOLFCOP and Marshall Williams GLEE) who must travel the notorious “Grid” to collect and deliver a mysterious cargo. Facing off with road pirates and carjackers, they miss their drop-off and unleash a violent showdown with the crime syndicate at Black Lake, the last refuge of hope on the Grid.

Supergrid is opening at the Blood in The Snow Festival Thursday, November 22 at 9:30pm and will be available on VOD in December 2018 through Raven Banner Entertainment.