Contra Zoom

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Contra Zoom is a film based podcast where we explore both the academic and fun aspects of the cinematic medium. Join Dakota Arsenault and Andreas Babiolakis, as we cover a range of subjects going as far back as the beginning of cinema to current and topical subjects.

Dakota Arsenault, Rachel Gordon

  • Mar 21, 2019 LATEST EPISODE
  • infrequent NEW EPISODES
  • 56m AVG DURATION
  • 77 EPISODES


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Latest episodes from Contra Zoom

78: Top Films of 2018

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2019 97:49


Despite it being March, it is finally here! The top ten films of 2018 Contra Zoom mega episode! This episode has everything including a great co-host in Stephanie, four terrific guest spots and more films... The post 78: Top Films of 2018 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

77: 2019 Post Oscars Analysis podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2019 57:55


I know, it is more than a full week since the 91st Oscar’s aired, in which Green Book somehow won Best Picture over the far more deserving Roma, but Dakota and Sammy talk about the... The post 77: 2019 Post Oscars Analysis podcast appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

76: 2019 Oscar Predictions

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2019 85:29


To help aid with your Oscar ballot’s below is both Sammy’s picks and mine (Dakota). The order is based on how we announced them on the podcast. During the episode we also break down whom... The post 76: 2019 Oscar Predictions appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

75: Roma’s Favourite

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2019 20:50


This is the last Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom of the year, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as written articles. He is flying solo this episode as he talks... The post 75: Roma’s Favourite appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

74: A Star is Bohemian Panther

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2019 27:25


This is the second Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom of the year, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as written articles. He is flying solo this episode as he talks... The post 74: A Star is Bohemian Panther appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

73: Green and Black Vice

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2019 33:56


This is the first Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom of the year, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as written articles. He is flying solo this episode as he talks... The post 73: Green and Black Vice appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

72: Reactions to Oscar Nominations 2019

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2019 34:05


With the release of the Oscar nominations for the 91st Academy Awards Dakota Arsenault and Sammy Feilchenfeld discuss their first reactions to the crop of films. They also get into the debate about the merit... The post 72: Reactions to Oscar Nominations 2019 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

71: TIFF 2018 Wrap Up

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2018 59:40


Mehek Seyid joins us again to talk about the films she saw at TIFF 2018 and gave some great insight into what the landscape for the rest of this year will look like. A few... The post 71: TIFF 2018 Wrap Up appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

70: Make/Remake Terminal Station and Indiscretion of an American Wife

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2018 51:59


In this edition of Make/Remake Dakota and Stephanie look at a unique pair of films… the exact same film cut two ways. In 1953 Italian Neorealist director Vittorio de Dica paired with David O. Selznick... The post 70: Make/Remake Terminal Station and Indiscretion of an American Wife appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

69: TIFF 2018 Preview

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2018 34:58


According to the Toronto Star’s preview this year’s Toronto International Film Festival features 21 world premieres, seven international premieres, eight North American premieres and 11 Canadian premieres, including 13 features directed by women. It all... The post 69: TIFF 2018 Preview appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

68: New Oscar Rules

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2018 26:35


The Academy Awards are changing the way their ceremony will be run in three drastic ways over the next two years. Dakota goes over the pros and cons for each of these changes. First- The... The post 68: New Oscar Rules appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

67: Contra Zoom Presents… Hitchcock

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2018 64:57


On this week’s episode Dakota Arsenault is joined by Zach Sokol, host of Radio Camp Half Blood a Percy Jackson read-a long podcast. The two talk about director Alfred Hitchcock one of the greatest filmmakers... The post 67: Contra Zoom Presents… Hitchcock appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

66: Intro to Film 101: Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2018 32:57


I’m often asking for movie recommendations both from fellow movie buffs and from people who want to expand their knowledge about cinema. After having a friend ask for a list of important films to watch... The post 66: Intro to Film 101: Part 2 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

65: Intro to Film 101: Part 1

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2018 38:50


I’m often asking for movie recommendations both from fellow movie buffs and from people who want to expand their knowledge about cinema. After having a friend ask for a list of important films to watch... The post 65: Intro to Film 101: Part 1 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

64: A Revisit of 12 Angry Men

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2018 34:06


Dakota Arsenault and Sammy Feilchenfeld decide to revisit Sydney Lumet’s landmark debut film, 1957’s 12 Angry Men starring Henry Fonda.  The idea for this episode stems from Dakota and Sammy who requested a list of... The post 64: A Revisit of 12 Angry Men appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

63: Make/Remake 1984

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2018 64:25


In the latest edition of make/remake Dakota Arsenault and Stephanie Prior talk about George Orwell’s novel 1984 and two different cinematic adaptations of it.  In 1949, George Orwell published his landmark novel detailing what the... The post 63: Make/Remake 1984 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

62: Top 10 Films of 2017

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2018 79:29


Now that 2017 is firmly in the rear view mirror Dakota Arsenault and Mehek Seyid go over their favourite films of last year.  Dakota’s list: 10. Loveless 9. Logan Lucky 8. Mudbound 7. Columbus 6.... The post 62: Top 10 Films of 2017 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

61: 2018 Oscars Recap

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2018 42:21


On this Episode Dakota Arsenault and Sammy Feilchenfeld recap and review the 90th Academy Awards that were handed out on Sunday March 4th, with the Best Picture being awarded to The Shape of Water. Some... The post 61: 2018 Oscars Recap appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

60: Oscar Predictions 2018 Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2018 76:51


Dakota Arsenault is joined by Mehek Seyid to talk about this year’s Oscar’s nominees as they make some bold predictions. They say who they think should win, will win and who was snubbed. Check out... The post 60: Oscar Predictions 2018 Part 2 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

59: Oscar Predictions 2018 Part 1

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2018 72:09


Dakota Arsenault is joined by Mehek Seyid to talk about this year’s Oscar’s nominees as they make some bold predictions. They say who they think should win, will win and who was snubbed. Watch out... The post 59: Oscar Predictions 2018 Part 1 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

58: Interview with Mitchell Cushman Director of Jerusalem

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2018 17:49


Dakota Arsenault had the opportunity to chat with Mitchell Cushman, director of the play Jerusalem that is currently showing at Crow’s Nest Theatre until March 10th. You may remember Mitchell who previously appeared on Contra... The post 58: Interview with Mitchell Cushman Director of Jerusalem appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

57: Get Out From Dunkirk and Call Me By the Post

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2018 33:46


This is the second Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom of the year, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as written articles. Last week he talked about Three Billboards... The post 57: Get Out From Dunkirk and Call Me By the Post appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

56: Lady Bird Hour Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2018 26:47


This is the first Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom of the year, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as written articles. He is flying solo this episode as he talks... The post 56: Lady Bird Hour Outside Ebbing, Missouri appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

55: 2017 Wrap Up

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2018 59:09


Sammy Feilchenfeld joins Dakota to talk about the biggest news stories of 2017. This isn’t the usual top movie of the year podcast, but instead reflecting on the year that was and what to expect... The post 55: 2017 Wrap Up appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

54: Wings to Moonlight 1978-1987 Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2017 100:08


Here is part two of our Best Picture Countdown of movies that won between 1978-1987. On the last episode we ran down the bottom five films, click HERE to see the list and listen to... The post 54: Wings to Moonlight 1978-1987 Part 2 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

53: From Wings to Moonlight 1978-1987 Part 1

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2017 94:41


After more than a year off from continuing the Best Picture Ranking series, it is back with a vengeance! Stephanie Prior steps in to join Dakota to review the Best Picture winners from the 1978-1987... The post 53: From Wings to Moonlight 1978-1987 Part 1 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

52: State of the Cinematic Universe

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2017 82:50


For this massive episode Sammy Feilchenfeld joins Dakota Arsenault again to talk about all things concerning the new trend of “Cinematic Universes”, starting with reviews of both Justice League and Thor: Ragnarok the films that... The post 52: State of the Cinematic Universe appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

51: Bladerunner 2049

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2017 57:13


After being out for over a month, Dakota Arsenault finally gets around to talking about the new Blade Runner 2049 movie. Sammy Feilchenfeld returns to talk about what he calls his favourite movie of the... The post 51: Bladerunner 2049 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

50: History of the Dracul

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2017 63:47


On this very special episode Dakota Arsenault celebrates reaching the milestone of 50 episodes! The very first one was back in April of 2015 discussing the first ten Best Picture Winner’s can be found HERE... The post 50: History of the Dracul appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

49: TIFF 2017 Wrap Up

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2017 48:31


The Toronto International Film Festival wrapped a few weeks ago and Mehek Seyid makes a return to Contra Zoom where she talks about the 28 (!) films she saw at this year festival.  The films... The post 49: TIFF 2017 Wrap Up appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

48: Summer Movie Season Post Mortem

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2017 46:28


On this episode Sammy Feilchenfeld joins Dakota Arsenault as they discuss the end of the summer movie season. This epsidoe includes talk on some summer movie highlights, the media’s decision to cause a panic about... The post 48: Summer Movie Season Post Mortem appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

47: Make/Remake Dawn of the Dead

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2017 43:07


With the recent passing of Horror legend George A. Romero, we here at Contra Zoom thought we should honour him by dedicating an episode of Make/Remake to him. In this Make/Remake series we discuss how... The post 47: Make/Remake Dawn of the Dead appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

46: Canadian Filmmakers

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2017 69:55


On this special episode, Dakota Arsenault is joined by Sammy Feilchenfeld as they discuss the greatest aspect of Canada- our filmmakers!  From talking about their favourite Canadian produced films like Incendies, Men With Brooms, C.R.A.Z.Y.... The post 46: Canadian Filmmakers appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

45: Wonder Woman and an Appreciation of Female Directors

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2017 83:10


On this week’s episode Sierra Nutkevitch joins Dakota Arsenault and they talk about the latest DC film Wonder Woman directed by Patty Jenkins. In the second part of the episode the two discuss their favourite... The post 45: Wonder Woman and an Appreciation of Female Directors appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

44: Make/Remake: Seven Samurai and The Magnificent Seven

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2017 42:05


This is the first episode of a new series called Make/Remake where we look at two films, an original and a remake and compare and contrast the films. It isn’t about anointing, which one is... The post 44: Make/Remake: Seven Samurai and The Magnificent Seven appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

43: Toronto Screenwriting Conference 2017

Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2017 64:57


On this week’s episode Dakota Arsenault introduces interviews that Sierra Nutkevitch conducted at the Toronto Screenwriting Conference this year.  Christina Jennings– Chairman & CEO of Shaftesbury. Christina talks about what it is like to take... The post 43: Toronto Screenwriting Conference 2017 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

42: Top 10 Films of 2016

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2017 78:49


Rachel Gordon and Dakota Arsenault discuss the top films of 2016, even though it is now 4 months into 2017, as they needed time to digest everything. They were going to just award the top... The post 42: Top 10 Films of 2016 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

41: Post Oscars Recap 2017

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2017 60:38


After all the craziness of the Oscars Dakota Arsenault and Mehek Seyid needed to talk about what transpired.  – La La Land was accidentally named Best Picture because of an envelope mixup – Jimmy Kimmel... The post 41: Post Oscars Recap 2017 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

40: Oscar Predictions 2017 Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2017 70:44


Just in time for your last minute Oscar pool’s Dakota Arsenault and Rachel Gordon host the second annual Contra Zoom Oscar Extravaganza! Your hosts are joined by film buff and Capsule co-host Mehek Seyid. Here are the final predictions for... The post 40: Oscar Predictions 2017 Part 2 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

39: Oscar Predictions 2017 Part 1

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2017 75:22


Just in time for your last minute Oscar pool’s Dakota Arsenault and Rachel Gordon host the second annual Contra Zoom Oscar Extravaganza! Your hosts are joined by film buff and Capsule co-host Mehek Seyid. Here... The post 39: Oscar Predictions 2017 Part 1 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

38: Manchester by the Lion

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2017 23:15


On this last episode of this year’s breakdown of the Best Picture nominated films Dakota Arsenault talks about Manchester By the Sea and Lion. On last week’s episode of Contra Zoom he discussed Hell or High Water, Fences and Moonlight. ... The post 38: Manchester by the Lion appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

37: Hell or High Fences in Moonlight

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2017 50:03


On this second episode of this year’s breakdown of the Best Picture nominated films Dakota Arsenault and Rachel Gordon talks about Moonlight, Fences and Hell or High Water. On last week’s episode of Contra Zoom he discussed Hidden Figures and La La Land.... The post 37: Hell or High Fences in Moonlight appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

36: La La Figures

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2017 24:31


On this second episode of this year’s breakdown of the Best Picture nominated films Dakota Arsenault talks about Hidden Figures and La La Land. On last week’s episode of Contra Zoom he discussed Hacksaw Ridge... The post 36: La La Figures appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

35: The Arrival of Hacksaw Ridge

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2017 22:44


This is the first Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as written articles. He is flying solo this episode as he talks about... The post 35: The Arrival of Hacksaw Ridge appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

34: Best Moments of 2016

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2017 62:47


Dakota Arsenault is proud to announce that Rachel Gordon will join Contra Zoom as the permanent co-host along with her new role as Associate Film Editor! – You can check out Andreas Babiolakis’ Top 25... The post 34: Best Moments of 2016 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

33: Divine Brown and Passing Strange

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2017 12:56


On this mini-episode Dakota Arsenault talks to the lovely and talented Divine Brown, who is most well known for her music career but she is about to star in the musical Passing Strange.  Passing Strange... The post 33: Divine Brown and Passing Strange appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

32: In Memory of Bill Marshall and Praise of TIFF

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2017 26:09


This week Dakota is joined by Rachel Gordon to talk about the passing of TIFF founder Bill Marshall, who sadly passed away at the age of 77 on January 1st, 2017.  Dakota and Rachel share... The post 32: In Memory of Bill Marshall and Praise of TIFF appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

31: Wings To Birdman 1968-1977 Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2016 82:58


On this episode the guys start talk about the forth edition of their Best Picture Winners revisits. The years are 1968-1977 (the 40th-49th Oscar winners). In Part One the guys reveal their bottom five of the... The post 31: Wings To Birdman 1968-1977 Part 2 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

30: Halloween Movie Suggestions

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2016 54:37


This week Dakota Arsenault is joined by special guest Rachel Gordon as they talk about their favourite movies you should watch during the Halloween season!  New Horror (1980’s on)-  Rachel suggests watching The Blair Witch... The post 30: Halloween Movie Suggestions appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

29: TIFF 2016 Wrap-up

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2016 35:13


Mehek Seyid joins Dakota and Andreas this week as they discuss the Toronto International Film Festival including the big winners and some other must sees. Links: – La La Land was the big winner taking... The post 29: TIFF 2016 Wrap-up appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

28: From Wings to Birdman 1968-1977 Part 1

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2016 88:52


On this episode the guys start talk about the forth edition of their Best Picture Winners revisits. The years are 1968-1977 (the 40th-49th Oscar winners). Our photographer Katrina Lat joins us to talk about her... The post 28: From Wings to Birdman 1968-1977 Part 1 appeared first on LIVE IN LIMBO.

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