This Movie's About You

Yes we have James Stewart on This Movie’s About You. And no, it’s not some kind of digital wizardry that has taken known Jame Stewart clips and cleverly rearranged them so it sounds like we’re having an actual conversation. That’s a different James Stewart. This is the real, still very much with us, highly active in the Canadian film industry, king of 3-D technology, James Stewart. I’ve known James for many upon many years, so having him as a guest on the show is a no brainer. What did make it a tough go was getting James at the right time when he wasn’t busy working on his film, FOXED!, making a living by providing his clients with the best 3-D technology has to offer, and giving TED talks.

The movie’s he choses aren’t 3-D - but they rightfully should be.

Richard Rotter - filmmaker and Burning Man enthusiast. This is one of those interviews where the interviewee is more on the ball than Louis and me…or rather, than me. It’s the Burning Man thing. Sure we’re here to talk about Richard's career, his inspirations and his chosen double bill, but I couldn’t get past his love of the Burning Man festival (event?). Even Louis has to pry me away from my obsession in order to let Richard do his thing. But listen carefully. As Louis, who is admittedly Hangry (angry due to hunger), brings us back on track - Richard reveals a keen sense of managing…that is, he shows great skill in directing Louis and I away from our obsessions and our hangriness and into a very thoughtful (and I think amusing) interview.

Let’s just start this brief intro by letting you know that at the end of this interview, Joel Thomas Hynes picks up his acoustic guitar and plays not one, but two songs. The songs are as captivating as you might imagine a Joel Thomas Hynes performance to be, but I assure that the journey to that point is equally fascinating. Hynes gives us a frank and honest interview. I doubt he could do it any other way. This one is electric. From talking about his books, his family, his work, his acting and even his ego. Oh yeah, and he also has picked two movies as his favourite double bill. This one is unplugged yet still manages to be electric.

http://joelthomashynes.com/

I know plenty of people who think of themselves as steak connoisseurs, but I know only one person who actually is a steak connoisseur. Rob Firing knows his steaks - he also knows the literary world in both capacities as an author and an agent. Rob’s latest book, Steak Revolution, is a beautiful, photographed (most of the pics are Rob’s), hard cover cook book celebrating the fine art of cooking steak. So, it’s of little surprise, at least to me, that one of Rob’s movie choices is an independent gem about the culinary arts. His second film (and I’m purposefully leaving out the titles in hopes you’ll be curious enough to listen in) is a wonderful French thriller, of sorts, that dates back to when Rob was in his early teens dropping in on the UofT student film screenings. The films lead us seamlessly through a conversation about restaurant etiquette, high-school cliques, being different, and really good steaks. I suggest you listen to this one during lunch.

You know Sarah Mercey’s work: Ratatouille, Ferdinand, Wall-e, Toy Story 3, Brother Bear, Lilo & Stitch, Cars…the list goes on. Sarah is one of the top animators in the industry, and one of few women who've made an impact in the field of film animation. However, her movie choices are not animated, at least not animated in the traditional sense. With her double-bill, Shakespeare in Love and Moulin Rouge, reveals Sarah to be a bit of a romantic with a taste for period pieces and costume dramas. But there is far more to these films than just pretty prose and fancy wardrobes just as there is far more to Sarah than talent, ambition and success. Louis and I have a lot of fun with Sarah and dare I say that we get a bit animated ourselves in this interview.

Cassaundra Sloan decides to spend her birthday celebrating with us on This Movie’s About You. And since my birthday is fast approaching, I consider this a kind of gift to me as well. Caussaundra is an actor whose most recent appearance is in Ingrid Veninger’s Porcupine Lake. Already you know she keeps good company - drawing the attention of Veninger is a point in your favour. However, one quickly gets the feeling that Cassaundra, as young as she is (22 as of the podcast) stands well enough on her own accord. That doesn’t prevent her from acknowledging the talents of people like Veninger - or like the person she chooses to make up her ideal double-bill - Ellen Page. Her double bill is JUNO and WHIP IT.

Molly McGlynn - No matter what you say, Molly McGlynn is an amazing name. This is the third and final interview from the Kingston Canadian Film Festival. The interview is done on stage in front of an anticipating audience awaiting the screening of Molly’s film, Mary Goes Lightly. Molly directs what I believe to be (correct me if I’m wrong, folks) a semi-autobiographical tale of an addiction councellor caught up in her own addictions - and then confronted to make ammends with an estranged, but now dying, father. Of course some talk of the film arises, but mostly, we’re hear to chat about Molly’s double-movie bill and the things those films say about her.

Cory Bowles is our guest this week. He’s the writer/director behind the electrifying, but controversial film Black Cop - a movie about a Black Police Officer turning the tables on black profiling, doling out unnecessary harrassment of white folks. It’s distrubing (some find it funny), and it’s powerful. Cory is no doubt a man who’s concerns and interest revolve around his community and the experiences that plague his community. He’s also a thoughtful talent who’s strength of work is not only clear up on screen - whether he’s directing or acting in the iconic Canadian East Coast series, Trailer Park Boys. We have a lot of fun with Cory, our second interview at the Kingston Canadian film festival. This one is taped before a packed us prior to the screening of Black Cop.

Mark Little is our guest! That’s it. That’s all I need to say. And the exclamation mark used at the end of the first sentence is completely and wholly and entirely warranted. Mark Little is our guest and we’re thrilled. …But, for those who might not know who Mark Little is…a bit of background. He’s a comic (first and foremost) an actor and writer (I actually don’t know if he’s a writer but how can you be this talented and funny and not write)? Little’s appearance marks our first in a series of interviews coming from the Kingston Canadian Film Festival. Marks double bill is Wizard of Oz with Return to Oz. Take a listen…this one is one of the best!

Actor, musician, Charlie Kerr, is open about his take on love and relationships. At one point in the interview, he comes close to labeling himself as a serial monogamist. I’m not sure how accurate that assessment is. Maybe it's not serial monogamy but simply a youthful approach to enjoying his time with whoever he’s with. Or, perhaps, he simply loves love. Whatever it is, it plays well into Charlie’s choice for a double bill: Sarah Polley’s Take This Waltz and Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World. Combing all of these things about Charlie, his openness, his youthful approach to romance, and his love of love, makes Charlie Kerr the ideal guest for This Movie’s About You