Canadian movie lovers discuss the good and bad of their domestic cinema, from classic films to new releases.
William and Chris try not to think about the global pandemic by watching a zombie pandemic movie. They explore the roots of their feelings about Blood Quantum, a new movie by Mi'kmaq filmmaker Jeff Barnaby. The talk covers Canada's 1982 Constitution Act, Predator, Dawn of the Dead and District 9.Download this episode here. (40 MB) More information about Blood Quantum on IMDb. Detailed show notes after the break.00:01 A slowly reopening podcast 01:50 VIFF online03:45 Totally Under Control, a documentary by Alex Gibney05:20 Totally Under Control, It's about greed and not compassion06:00 Totally Under Control, History written in the moment06:55 Totally Under Control, 72 million voted for Donald Trump07:35 Totally Under Control, Princess cruise ship08:15 Blood Quantum, a film by Jeff Barnaby09:30 Blood Quantum, It's set in Red Crow, Quebec10:00 the cast of Blood Quantum14:30 the plot of Blood Quantum16:00 Blood Quantum, White people can be infected17:55 Blood Quantum, Quoting an ancient settler proverb18:45 Blood Quantum, Measuring Indigenous ancestry20:30 Blood Quantum theory undercooked in the narrative21:45 Blood Quantum, Why is it set in 1981? Chris doesn't know23:30 Blood Quantum, compared to 28 Days Later24:45 Blood Quantum, That scene is gruesome25:20 Blood Quantum and the Canada Constitution Act, 198227:15 Blood Quantum, Barnaby asked his cast to watch Alanis Obomsawin's film29:00 Blood Quantum, Zombie salmon and zombie dog30:00 Blood Quantum story synopsis on Wikipedia is wrong31:10 Blood Quantum has some thrills and real jeopardy32:30 Blood Quantum and Predator, I ain't got time to bleed34:20 Blood Quantum and that scene from Aliens35:35 Blood Quantum, I appreciate something that I haven't seen before36:20 Blood Quantum displays a lot of value for its $4.5 million37:20 Blood Quantum and Exotica were big budget Canadian films37:45 Blood Quantum, I've had it with white people38:05 Blood Quantum, I like it as much as I like other zombie movies39:15 a superficial way to remember Blood Quantum39:50 Blood Quantum versus the zombie films of George Romero41:20 Blood Quantum, Listuguj and Indigenous activism43:40 Blood Quantum compared to District 944:45 the fantasy of racism and Black Like Vic45:25 our rating of Blood QuantumThank you for listening.
Alexander, Chris and William dream of a better podcast in the big city. They talk about Goin' Down the Road, the legendary indie movie about two guys seeking better lives in Toronto. The chat cruises through Terrence Malick, John Cassavetes and Bruce McDonald territory so get comfortable. The 1970 movie was directed by Donald Shebib, written by William Fruet and stars Doug McGrath and Paul Bradley. In 2015 it was ranked #6 on TIFF's Top 10 Canadian Films of All Time.Download this episode here. (40 MB) Find more information about the movies and television we mentioned by visiting Goin' Down the Road on IMDb, Days of Heaven on IMDb, Laverne & Shirley on IMDb and The Big Lebowski on IMDb.
Love is still complicated when Alexander and William talk about Maudie. Listen again to their chat about the Canada-Ireland co-production that tells the story of Nova Scotia's beloved folk painter. Bonus content: Chris joins the conversation and the movie is re-evaluated according to our new grading scheme.Download this episode here. (29 MB) Find out more about the movies we talked about on the IMDb pages for Maudie, Marriage Story and My Left Foot.
Chris and William discuss The Grey Fox from 1982. One of the most highly regarded BC films, it's criminal that this movie is so difficult to find today. Richard Farnsworth stars as gentleman bandit Billy Miner.Download this episode here. (70 MB) Find more information about the movies we discussed by visiting The Grey Fox on IMDb and Jackie Brown on IMDb.
William and Alexander dive into Sharkwater on this episode. Rob Stewart's debut documentary made waves by shining the spotlight on a destructive practice. They consider the legacy of the film in the wake of Canada's ban on shark fins. They also touch on Sharkwater Extinction before arriving at a comparison with An Inconvenient Truth.Download this episode here. (44 MB) Find more information about Sharkwater on IMDb and about the ongoing cause at the Sharkwater Foundation.
Back from an extended break we eventually get to talking about action movie Braven. It's barely a Canadian movie but hardly anyone is listening. Jason Momoa stars as a lethally capable logger in the Newfoundland-shot thriller.Download this episode here. (50 MB) Find more information about the films we discussed on the respective IMDb pages for Braven, Flight and Rounders.
Is Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner the best Canadian movie of all time? William, Chris and Alexander chat about this legendary Inuit tale and the relevance of TIFF's top ten list. Is this the best podcast about Canadian films ever? Not likely. Their talk references Maliglutit, Edge of the Knife, The Celebration, Just Friends and Aga before arriving at Black Panther.Download this episode here. (49 MB) Find more information about Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner at IMDb.
Alexander and William discuss Zero Patience, John Greyson's movie musical about AIDS. Their conversation finds points of comparison with Once, Philadelphia and Stop Making Sense.Download this episode here. (38 MB) Find more information about this film and related ones on their respective IMDb pages: Zero Patience, Philadelphia and And the Band Played On.
On our belated Valentine's Day podcast we fall for Les amours imaginaires. Xavier Dolan's second film, aka Heartbeats, casts a romantic spell that makes our hosts swoon. Comparisons with Francois Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard, Wong Kar-wai and Quentin Tarantino are just the beginning. A fun version of the song "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" can be seen in this clip from the short film A Summer Dress.Download this episode here. (44 MB) Find more information about this film and related ones on the respective IMDb pages for Heartbeats, Jules and Jim, In the Mood for Love and Blue is the Warmest Colour.
It's a cold day in Canada when our podcasters revisit The Sweet Hereafter. Based on the book by Russell Banks about the aftermath of a school bus crash, the movie ranks high on TIFF's Canada's Top Ten list. Atom Egoyan's cold and uncompromising film ignites a heated discussion.Download this episode here. (62 MB) Find more information about the films we discussed on their respective IMDb pages: The Sweet Hereafter and Fargo. Previously, we discussed Exotica on our podcast and it was a sexy episode.
Chris and William rediscover My American Cousin, a gem of BC cinema. The touching story of an Okanagan summer melted their winter blues. Writer-director Sandy Wilson's film draws comparisons to Call Me By Your Name and Stand By Me.Download this episode here. (39 MB) Find more information about this film and related ones on their respective IMDb pages: My American Cousin, They Shoot Horses, Don't They? and American Boyfriends.
'Twas the night before Christmas when we posted our obligatory holiday episode. Hear Chris and William discuss how A Christmas Story is an enduring classic. The Ovaltine is hot, the duck is roasted and their memories are fond. We triple dog dare you to subscribe to this podcast.Download this episode here. (38 MB) Find more information about this film and related ones on their respective IMDb pages: A Christmas Story, Road Trip for Ralph and A Christmas Carol (1951).
William and Alexander refer you to a troupe of comedy specialists in this talk about Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy. Does the singular movie effort by the famed Canadian absurdists still tickle the funny bone? Take two podcasts and email us in the morning.Download this episode here. (40 MB) Find more information about this film and related ones on their respective IMDb pages: Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy, Strange Brew and Airplane II: The Sequel. Previously, we discussed Strange Brew on our podcast and it was a beauty.
Alexander and Chris recap their experience at VIFF 2018 and ponder how to return to regular movies after feasting on festival flicks. VIFF closed Oct. 12 but these recommendations will put films in your viewing queue for months to come. Download this episode here. (33 MB) Telling friends what podcasts you listen to has been said to improve verbal-social interactions by 18 percent. Try it yourself.
These three hosts have seen a g-g-g-ghost! Alexander, Chris and William reunite to discuss Lavender, starring Abbie Cornish. It's a tale of scary farm houses and fractured memories. Beware of spoilers between 30:00 and 51:00. Download this episode here. (50 MB) Find more information about the films we discussed on their respective IMDb pages: Lavender and The Others. Friends tell friends about the podcasts to which they subscribe.
The 37th Vancouver International Film Festival closed Oct. 12 but Chris and Alexander still have thoughts to share on some festival films that will return to various screens in the future. Hear them muse on Sharkwater: Extinction (in theatres Oct. 19), Finding Big Country (at the Rio Theatre on Oct. 21), Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. (available for pre-order on iTunes) and The Hummingbird Project (due to release in 2019). Download this episode here. (45 MB) Subscribe through your preferred podcast app. Tell your friends to tell their friends.
Chris and Alexander are covering the 37th Vancouver International Film Festival. Beautiful landscapes and rugged adventurers abound as they discuss the Haida Gwaii-set Edge of the Knife, followed by a picturesque portrait of BC’s mountain ranges in This Mountain Life. They close the discussion with a quick rundown of other titles to look forward to at the festival, running September 27 to October 12. We'll have further episodes for you mid-festival. Download this episode here. (47 MB) VIFF 2018 runs from September 27 to October 12.
Chris and William are feeling down after watching Highway of Tears. The 2015 documentary examines the long history of missing and murdered women in northern BC. The issue remains relevant following Greyhound's decision to end its bus service in western Canada effective October 2018. Download this episode here. (32 MB) Highway of Tears is available to stream from the film's website. Find more information about that film and related ones on their respective IMDb pages: Highway of Tears, River of Silence and Zodiac.
KONELINE: our land beautiful mesmerizes William and Alexander on this episode. Nettie Wild's documentary considers the future of the northern BC wilderness and its meaning to the Tahltan First Nation and other communities of region. Side topics include how Vancouver's Rio Theatre is too cool to accept coin money and Seth Rogan talks how to ride transit.Download this episode here. (38 MB) Find out more about the movies we mentioned on the IMDb pages for KONELINE and Manufactured Landscapes. On older episodes we talked about Haida Gwaii: On the Edge of the World, were shocked by the shameful bit of history chronicled in Kanehsatake and pondered the unusual beauty of Manufactured Landscapes.
Alexander and William feel the urge to podcast about David Cronenberg's film eXistenZ. The 1999 film about virtual realities proved prophetic about our relationship with gaming tech. Dwarfed by a certain Hollywood blockbuster in its day, the podcasters compare the film to another box office behemoth.Download this episode here. (42 MB) Find out more about the movies we mentioned on the IMDb pages for eXistenZ, The Matrix and Inception.
William and Chris welcome listeners through the back door to hear their thoughts on Marion Bridge. The movie is based on the play by Daniel MacIvor. Family secrets are not explicitly revealed but they compare this tale of sisters to the movie Sisters (1972) and the movie Sisters (2015). Download this episode here. (40 MB) Find out more about the movies we mentioned on the IMDb pages for Marion Bridge, Short Term 12 and Lady Bird.
Based on the novel by Richard Wagamese, Indian Horse is about an Indigenous boy whose hockey skills give him a chance to survive the Indian residential school system. Alexander and William gingerly talk about a shameful chapter of Canada's history while discussing a new movie in this episode. Speaking of shameful history, 1971's Face-Off pops up in conversation again. Download this episode here. (51 MB) Find out more about the movies we mentioned on these IMDb pages: Indian Horse and The Invitation. We talked about Face-Off on an older episode.
Hear part two of Alexander's interview with Matthew Taylor Blais and Manny Mahal. Matthew kicks things off with details on Sital Cinema, their new distribution platform. Their talk transitions toward Manny's shorts For My Mother and The Lift, then suddenly veers into uncharted territory as Manny professes his unconditional love for the very buff, very Austrian (and by implication, non-Canadian) Arnold Schwarzenegger.Download this episode here. (38 MB) Watch Manny's short film For My Mother and Manny's short film The Lift, both on YouTube. Follow Matthew on Twitter as @matttblais and demand to see Forest Movie.
In the first of a two part interview, Matthew Taylor Blais and Manny Mahal join Alexander to discuss their film Forest Movie, which premiered at VIFF in 2017 as part of the Future//Present program. They also prognosticate on the future of film consumption, and how the theatre and home viewing environments provide fundamentally different experiences for the viewer.Download this episode here. (44 MB) Follow Matt on Twitter as @matttblais and demand to see Forest Movie. Look for Manny's films through Sital Cinema on YouTube.
We defrost the classic Canadian hockey drama Face-Off for examination. Art Hindle plays the star rookie in the 1971 movie about the NHL lifestyle. Black Dog Video's Darren Gay joins William and Alexander to chat about unconvincing love stories, men's fur coats, old-school Maple Leafs and champagne showers. Download this episode here. (50 MB) Find out more about the movies we mentioned on these IMDb pages: Face-Off, Youngblood, Hello Destroyer and One Sings, the Other Doesn't. We talked about Goon on an older episode. SCTV's parody of the movie is called Power Play.
Alexander is joined again by Vancouver filmmaker Paige Smith to discuss Jennifer Baichwal’s 2006 documentary Manufactured Landscapes. While the focus of the discussion remains on Edward Burtynsky’s stunning large format photography, they also spend time relating the film to the Vancouver housing crisis and stigma around foreign buyers.Download this episode here. (43 MB) IMDb links to the movies mentioned in this episode are here: Manufactured Landscapes, Machines and Last Train Home.
William and Alexander apply their new rating system to two previously discussed movies on this mini episode. You can hear their original comments on Ginger Snaps and Take This Waltz on earlier episodes. Also, hear a teaser from a future episode with a special guest.Download this episode here. (20 MB) IMDb links to the movies mentioned in this episode are here: Carrie, In the Mood for Love. We talked about Ginger Snaps and Take This Waltz on previous episodes of this podcast.
Alexander is joined by local filmmaker Paige Smith to discuss her experimental short Watching Us. Paige details her interest in exploring how the act of being watched may alter one’s behaviour, the pornography industry's effect on society’s understanding of female sexuality and the challenge to be true to oneself when others have a different idea of how we should behave.Download this episode here. (32 MB) Follow Paige's tweets as @paigemarysmith. We also use the Twitter as @filmedincanaduh.
William and Alexander examine controversial critics' fave Léolo. TIFF ranked the 1992 movie as the fifth all-time best Canadian film but these podcasters are unsure about its reputation. Their chat covers expectations of the coming-of-age story, potentially unethical demands on young actors and disturbing sexual awakenings.Download this episode here. (49 MB) IMDb links to the movies mentioned in this episode are here: Léolo, Naked Lunch; and we talked about C.R.A.Z.Y. on a previous episode of this podcast. Mr. Fly compiled TIFF's all-time top Canadian films, expanded to a list of 100, on Letterboxd.
Stay up past midnight to hear Alexander, Chris and William talk about the cult hit, animated, anthology movie Heavy Metal. Does this collection of edgy fantasy stories still rock in our morally enlightened times? The answer might not shock you but the discussion is peppered with barbarians, robots, zombies and gratuitous drawn nudity.Download this episode here. (47 MB) IMDb links to the movies mentioned in this episode are here: Heavy Metal, The Fifth Element, Anvil: The Story of Anvil, Belladonna of Sadness, John Carter, Pink Floyd: The Wall, The Lord of the Rings and Crumb.
Writer-director Mina Shum talks with Chris and William about her film Meditation Park. They chat about moms and families across all cultures, Asian representation in movies and TV, and standing up to city bylaw enforcement. Listen to our VIFF 2017 wrap-up episode to hear our thoughts on the movie.Download this episode here. (47 MB)Find out more about the movie on its IMDb page: Meditation Park. Also check out our episode on Shum's Double Happiness.
The Trailer Park Boys made a movie and we made a podcast. William and Alexander discuss the first big screen adventure of Nova Scotia's favourite losers. Weed, TV memories and Canadian money are among the digressions.. Download this episode here. (45 MB) Find out more about this movie on its IMDb page: Trailer Park Boys: The MovieStay in touch with us between episodes via Facebook.
Alexander and William are fired up about Incendies. Denis Villeneuve's 2010 movie was based on a play by Wajdi Mouawad. Civil war, family secrets and Radiohead fan the flames of their discussion. Download this episode here. (53 MB) Find out more about this movie on its IMDb page: IncendiesStay in touch with us between episodes via Facebook.
William and Alexander give their talky treatment to Back to God's Country, the 1919 silent movie starring Nell Shipman and an assortment of animals. Join us on a journey back to the wilderness and filmmaking attitudes of nearly 100 years ago. Pit stops in Victoria, BC and Cabazon, CA. Download this episode here. (47 MB) Find out more about this movie on its IMDb page: Back to God's CountryStay in touch with us between episodes via Facebook.
We start the New Year with business from last Christmas. Alexander, Chris and William open the gift of the 1974 horror classic Black Christmas. It's the Canadian thriller that became the template for countless slasher imitators and inspired a theme song by William. Alexander asks if it is a feminist movie?Download this episode here. (47 MB) IMDb links to the movies mentioned in this episode are here: Black Christmas, Blow Out, Peeping Tom and Halloween.
William and Alexander have positive reactions to C.R.A.Z.Y. Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, this 2005 movie is about surviving the 1970s, Quebec winters, Christmas and family. This is our last episode of the year. Happy holidays. Download this episode here. (48 MB) Find out more about this movie on its IMDb page: C.R.A.Z.Y.Stay in touch with us between episodes via Facebook.
What if two friends occasionally meet to talk about Canadian movies? William and Alexander navigate the pitfalls of being podcasting pals while they chat about the 2013 relationship movie The F Word. Also known as What If, it's the second Michael Dowse film we've put under the scope. Download this episode here. (50 MB) Find out more about this movie on its IMDb page: The F Word. We talked about Goon on an earlier episode.
Filmmaker Nathan Douglas is back this week to talk about his films Son in the Barbershop and Cave of Sighs. Stick around to the end to hear Alexander and Nathan discuss Terrence Malick and his artistic trajectory since The New World. Please reach out Nathan or us if you are interested in watching his films.Download this episode here. (52 MB) Find out more about Nathan's films at the Stoneridge Films website.
All is not sweetness and delicacy and harmony when William and Chris share their thoughts on The Red Violin. The award-winning 1998 movie was the art house darling in its day. Our podcasters think its time is up. Download this episode here. (53 MB) Find out more about this movie on its IMDb page: The Red Violin.
Filmmaker Nathan Douglas joins Alexander to testify to the miracle of Jesus of Montreal. Bless this podcast, listeners, by hearing their chat on Denys Arcand's celebrated movie. Download this episode here. (56 MB) Find out more about this movie on its IMDb page: Jesus of Montreal.
VIFF 2017 is over so Chris, William and Alexander debrief at length on the movies they watched. Award winners Black Cop, Unarmed Verses and Never Steady, Never Still are discussed. Hear reactions to The Green Fog show with live music by Kronos Quartet. They also comment on: Meditation Park, Luk'Luk'I, Rupture, Shadow Nettes, The Martyr, The Tesla World Light, Maison du bonheur, Our People Will Be Healed, Hondros, The Divine Order, Sami Blood, Disappearance (they mistakenly call it Remembrance), Lady Bird, The Bolshoi, Still Night, Still Light, Infiltration and Blue. It's a long one.Download this episode here. (111 MB)
Alexander Cairns, Chris Savory and William Lee are attending the 36th Vancouver International Film Festival. In our mid-festival update we talk about films from Canada and elsewhere: Maison du bonheur, Fail to Appear, The Cresent, In the Fade, Luk'Luk'I, The Party, Shut Up and Say Something, Keep Talking, Eye on Juliet, The Divine Order, Worst Case We Get Married and Happy End. Download this episode here. (28 MB) VIFF 2017 runs from September 28 to October 13.
Chris joins William to self-examine their reactions to the documentary Pink Ribbons, Inc. Then Alexander returns (after 38:30) to hype their coverage of the 2017 Vancouver International Film Festival, which happens September 28 to October 13. Download this episode here. (54 MB) Find out more about the movie on IMDb: Pink Ribbons, Inc..
Alexander and William of the podcasts spend time with Jean of the Joneses. Writer-director Stella Meghie's women-centred comedy gives these two dudes something to talk about.Download this episode here. (25 MB) For more about the movie discussed in this episode, follow the IMDb link to Jean of the Joneses.
Love is complicated when Alexander and William talk about Maudie. The new Canada-Ireland co-production tells the story of Nova Scotia's beloved folk painter. This episode is a shortie but a goodie. Download this episode here. (20 MB) Find out more about this movie on its IMDb page: Maudie.
William and Alexander are back from a disastrous road trip to talk Canadian movies. Indie filmmaker Corbin Saleken is along for the ride to discuss Hard Core Logo. Detours to Get Out, Andrei Rublev and the Bachelorette included.Download this episode here. (60 MB) IMDb links to the movies and TV show mentioned in this episode are here: Hard Core Logo, Get Out, Andrei Rublev and The Bachelorette.
All bets are off when Alexander and William talk about Patterson's Wager, director O. Corbin Saleken's movie about a man who can see two minutes into the future. We predict you'll be finished listening to this episode in about half an hour. Download this episode here. (32 MB) Find out more about this movie on its IMDb page: Patterson's Wager.
Adam Abrams joins William Lee to talk about The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. The 1974 movie starring Richard Dreyfuss, directed by Ted Kotcheff and written by Mordecai Richler chronicles a young man's efforts to make a name for himself in 1950s Montreal. We recorded on a sunny day and could not resist sitting outside so please excuse the background noise in this episode.Download this episode here. (36 MB) For more about the movie discussed in this episode, follow the IMDb link to The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz.
William and Alexander take a detour into enemy territory to discuss Hyena Road. The war movie written and directed by Paul Gross tells a story of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. What's the weather like in Quebec, Quebec? Download this episode here. (60 MB) Here are the IMDb links to the movies and TV shows discussed in this episode: Hyena Road, Bring Me the Head of Tim Horton, Sense8 and Psych.
William and Alexander return from summer vacation to talk about Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance. Alanis Obomsawin's documentary captures the Oka Crisis of 1990 from behind the barricades. Also, Alexander's short on Kamloops and brief summer movies commentary. Download this episode here. (50 MB) Alanis Obomsawin's films are available for viewing on the NFB website. Find out more about the movie on IMDb: Kanehsatake.
Bonus interview episode! Filmmaker O. Corbin Saleken tells Alexander and William about his experience making and selling Patterson's Wager. He shares observations on the current state of indie film distribution plus side notes on Violent and I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore. Download this episode here. (33 MB) Corbin's movie is available on DVD. Find out more about the other movies mentioned on their IMDb pages: Violent, I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore.