Movies and Chaos

Send us a textWe talk the state of professional film criticism in the Letterboxd era and the growing influence of user reviews. Plus, the overstep of the BALLERINA review embargo, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: THE FINAL RECKONING, DESTINATION: THE FINAL BLOODLINE (err?), Fear Streets, Friendships, and more.

Send us a textJoin us as we discuss what makes good franchise movies while revisiting the Final Destination series. Plus, we take a look at the new '80s-set anthology film Freaky Tales, Mark reviews Sharp Corner, Serena reviews Screamboat, Trump gets weird about movie tariffs, and the longhaired ghosts of J-horror haunt us still. 

Send us a textWe're joined by repeat guest Ryan Jackson, looking at what Hollywood wants to say and is willing to say about race, poverty and politics through the lens of Ryan Coogler's highly acclaimed box office hit SINNERS. This ep's a scorcher. 

Send us a textWith the box office juggernaut A MINECRAFT MOVIE and a new season of THE LAST OF US, we look at the world of movies based on video games - how that genre has tried to keep up as games have evolved as a premiere mass entertainment. Also, China may stop showing US films, TikTok challenges vs. cinema cleanup crews, and just stop looking at your damn phone. 

Send us a textSerena and Mark delve into AI Ghibli madness and people still being weird about Rachel Zegler in SNOW WHITE, before reviewing the high-concept theatrical horror-comedy DEATH OF A UNICORN and the issues raised by the hugely popular (and heavy) Netflix hit ADOLESCENCE.  It's another banger.

Send us a textWe talk US isolationism, and how this dog-eat-dog coveting has translated to the programming world and film biz in general. Plus, thoughts on new releases Mickey 17 and The Monkey, post-Oscars, creating new work in an age of nostalgia, and way more. 

Send us a textMaking movies for GenZ. What films do they watch, and why are adults so bad at writing them? Plus, HEART EYES, BABYGIRL, and the weird response to Kendrick Lamar's SuperBowl halftime. It's episode 50, fool! 

Send us a textWe're joined by Kris Langford and Scott Vega of the How'd You Like That Movie? podcast to review COMPANION, PRESENCE, WOLF MAN and GRAFTED. Plus, thoughts on the EMILIA PEREZ controversy, the state of US-Canada relations, female "empowerment" at the movies, and all the chaos. 

Send us a textIt's Season Three! We respond to David Lynch's passing, and reflect on what he meant to us and to contemporary movies in general. The film world has lost a Titan. Plus, NOSFERATU, WEREWOLVES, BACK IN ACTION, entitled indie filmmakers, and the futuristic movies we're living in now. 

Send us a textIt's Christmas, and we're thrilled to be joined by film critic Jen Yamato to talk the movie reviewing landscape. We also dive into the Netflix Yuletide phenomenon HOT FROSTY and its associated Romcom Christmas Widow Universe, praise some of our fave movies to watch this time of year and each give our personal holiday messages. Twice the fun. 10x the emotions. 

Send us a textA potpourri blast! We predict where movies are headed in 2025, question why there's so much hate against Snow White star Rachel Zegler, and examine the new reality where the majority of Gen Z and Millennials watch movies and TV at home with the subtitles turned on. 

Send us a textOn this ep, we tell you how to program movies for an audience if you want to get started. We also reflect upon Netflix's live streaming of the Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight and what it all amounted to. Plus, Mark expounds on the dawning "anti-woke" era in culture.

Send us a textWe look at two new animated features, the Pharrell Williams Lego-doc PIECE BY PIECE and the surprise family hit THE WILD ROBOT, wonder when Pixar lost its grip on adults, and talk some of our favourite animated movies growing up. Plus, Serena fondly remembers CANDYMAN star Tony Todd. 

Send us a textWe take a look at the popular graphic horror sequels Terrifier 3 and Smile 2, and consider what this blood and nihilism is all about. Plus, we talk some of our favourite horror sequels from years past.

Send us a textWe're joined by indie music star and film geek Rich Aucoin to talk the controversial JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX. And ONE OF US loves it! Is the movie a $200-million troll act, and is that ok? Plus, some of our favourite movie controversies.

Send us a textIt's the Dark Side of Hollywood. We're talking the legal troubles surrounding Diddy, his freak off parties and assault scandals, and the lawless attitudes embedded in wealth and celebrity. On that note, we review the satiric beauty culture extremes of THE SUBSTANCE. It's all here. 

Send us a textWe review the long-time coming sequel BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE and also share our thoughts on the films and legacy of Tim Burton. We pick our highlights and lowlights from the celebrated goth-pop auteur, and what those movies meant to us and culture at large. It's showtime, indeed. 

Send us a textIt's back to school season, and Serena and Mark cut through the sadness with some of their favourite teen movies. John Hughes, John Singleton, and the freedom of movie characters never having homework! Plus, we look at Zoe Kravitz filmmaking debut BLINK TWICE, and discuss whether its trigger warning is justified. 

Send us a Text Message.Serena returns from Fantasia Fest and gives us an early review of M. Night Shyamalan's camp/trash TRAP. Did DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE just put Marvel back on top? Plus, Mark and Serena have different takes on the surprise hit LONGLEGS. It's all here, folks.

Send us a Text Message.We review the new franchise summer movies BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F. and MAXXXINE, follow up on efforts to save the Revue, examine the dissonance of shrinking attention spans and lengthy blockbusters and discuss why the cost of living has workers leaving Hollywood. Stand and unite! 

Send us a Text Message.On this National holiday, we're joined by critic Justine Smith (Cult MTL, Fantasia Fest) for a banger look at Canadian horror - its legacy and highlights. Serena also gives us the lowdown on the battle to save the Revue Cinema that's been making headlines. And Justine and Mark share their thoughts on A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE. 

With cinema attendance down this year, we look at this in the context of the box office disappointment of FURIOSA and what it could mean for the future of movie-going. Then we review BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE. And when are content warnings spoilers? Plus, Serena just SAW THE TV GLOW, too. 

1999 is often mentioned as the last great movie year, but what was really different about it? Serena and Mark address the issue and discuss some of their favourite movies from that year. They then talk CHALLENGERS, THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1 and I SAW THE TV GLOW. Plus, all the BUFFY referenced you can stand!  

We're thrilled to be joined by actor Walter Perez (Detention, Fame, Bodied, TV's Fatal Attraction and Quantum Leap) to talk about the state of the industry, his screen inspirations growing up, and being seen as "nice" in a cruel world. Walter and Mark also reminisce on the Detention production. Also, Baby Reindeer. 

Movie trailers, what's with them? Returning guest and the Revue Cinema's trailer creator and curator Nathan Boone joins us to talk about their art and evolution. Which ones have stuck with us though the years, and what trends do we like and despise in them now?

We're thrilled to be joined by Brad Kane, superstar producer and writer (TOKYO VICE, WARRIOR, WELCOME TO DERRY) and former actor (BUFFY, STARSHIP TROOPERS, the  f'in singing voice of ALADDIN!) to discuss adapting novels for movies and TV. We talk about our faves, geek out on our top Stephen King adaptations and formative horror films. 

We're excited to be joined by filmmaker Kevin Hartford to talk about how '80s nostalgia just won't die, as we review the reanimated '80s properties GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE and ROAD HOUSE. And we have some disagreements! Plus, Serena's struggle with "Movie Karens."

With the potential banning of TikTok, we look at what the popular app meant for filmmaking, its associated societal threats, and reminisce on a world without social media. Also, LOVE LIES BLEEDING and Neve Campbell joins the SCREAM 7 saga.

What makes a movie snob in this media-secular world? We look at what's behind preferences for movies shot and projected on film vs. digital even when those old 35mm prints are turning pink. Also, what's behind the trend of movies shot in 4:3 ratios? Thoughts about rebooting THE CROW. Various Halloween sequels. A bit on JLo. A bit on DUNE PART II.  It's all here.

Filmmaker Chris Nash joins us to discuss his experimental festival-hit slasher IN A VIOLENT NATURE, coming soon to Shudder.  We talk about the strengths of practical and CG effects. And because nothing slips by us, we all review the new Jennifer Lopez VFX-heavy visual album THIS IS ME... NOW. 

Serena and Mark talk about repertory programming drama, competition, clout, and how to avoid all those things. Plus, the BARBIE Oscar controversy, Melissa Barrera faces more punishment for not wanting civilians to die, the passing of Carl Weathers, and the upcoming BEETLEJUICE sequel.

In this lively convo, we're joined by critic and scholar of ass-kicking films Outlaw Vern to talk the 1984 Cannon Films landmarks BREAKIN' and BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO. We also get into the relationship of hip-hop and movies, the rap soundtracks that first impacted us, and much more. 

Happy New Year (can we still say so?)! It's our Season 2 premiere, and we pick our best and worst films of 2023, talk about our fave screenings that we hosted, and look forward to the film year ahead. Plus, Mark is finally optimistic about the future of cinema. All the character development a podcast can hold! 

It's the holidays, and actor Loretta Yu (Moonshine) and screenwriter/podcaster Ryan Jackson (Mutual Aberration Society) join the pod to discuss their thoughts on Christmas movies. We take a look at the teen slasher It's a Wonderful Knife and the bizarre Canadian children's film The Christmas Martian. Plus, the influence of Detention, and the expectation of diversity casting. Serena can't be here this week, but she and Mark will return in the New Year! 

We talk about Melissa Barrera getting fired from Scream 7 over her pro-Palestine comments, censorship, conformity, and the age of policing what celebrities say.  Then we review Thanksgiving, Napoleon, Five Nights at Freddy's and Leave the World Behind. 

In this lively discussion, we're joined by Andy Williams of the cult genre film distributor Vinegar Syndrome to talk the importance of holding onto your DVDs and blu-rays. We also nerd out on specific Vinegar Syndrome titles, and ask what's going to save movies in the age when everything's "content." 

We talk about programming horror films with Steven Landry (Toronto International Film Festival, Fantastic Film Festival, Nightmare Alley), including discussions on When Evil Lurks and Terrifier, and what feels like a new age of Extreeeeme Horror. Plus, thoughts on the Fast and the Furious franchise, and a mini argument on Suspiria that Mark regrets not fighting for harder. 

It's scary movie season, so Mark and Serena riff on doing the 31 Days of Halloween thing, what they consider the appeal of horror, our fave movies to watch this time of year, the new Exorcist, When Evil Lurks, Totally Killer. Plus, our evolving feelings on gore in movies, the exploding penis on Gen V, etc. 

This week we're joined by superstar film and music video editor Chancler Haynes. He talks to us about what it's like editing projects for Taylor Swift and Joseph Kahn. And then he schools us on all things Jackie Chan, as we discuss the classics Police Story and Police Story 2.

This is a great discussion on movie poster design, its importance, its history and its trends, with graphic designer Matthew Therrien. Matthew designed posters for Drunken Cinema events and now does cover art for blu-ray labels like Severin and Synapse. We also discuss dealing with online haters, the Russell Brand and Sam Levinson scandals and much more! 

First, we let you know how to pitch a successful film series at a repertory cinema. Then we talk about Harmony Korine's view that TikTok is the future of movies and his stated desire to rethink the artform, Plus, does Bottoms signal the mainstream acceptance of post-woke comedy? Finally a vital skill: dealing with hecklers.

In this super fun ep John Davies (screenwriter of Hobo with a Shotgun and Kids vs. Aliens) joins us to talk about the movie moments that scarred us as kids. Are kid movies traumatizing enough anymore? Plus, the legacy of the 2000s torture porn era on popular audiences. 

Yes, we here at Movies and Chaos are all things! Writer and extreme cinema fan Lauren Messervey joins us to discuss dating at the movies. What are some bad date movie choices we've all made? Is movie dating even a good idea? Plus, Tarantino, Gaspar Noe, thoughts on PDA, Elon Musk, more Oppenheimer, MORE Barbie, etc. 

Mark and Serena take a look at the Barbenheimer phenomenon saving a disastrous Summer 2023 box office. Why do Barbie and Oppenheimer feel like something new? We get into why horror films are also still playing well in theatres. Plus, our thoughts on the new Mission: Impossible, the weird phenomenon of Sound of Freedom, and many more things of strange importance.

This is a lively chat about the WGA Strike with Simon Barrett (the screenwriter of You're Next, The Guest and the upcoming Godzillla x Kong: The New Empire, as well as the writer-director of Seance). How are writers treated in the film industry? Should we fear the AI takeover? Auteurism, possessory credits, Indiana Jones. It's all here! 

The battle of independent cinemas against corporate monopolies. We're joined by Andy Willick, chairperson of N.I.C.E. (Network of Independent Canadian Exhibitors) and owner and programmer of the Fox, Apollo, and ByTowne cinemas for a great talk about the fight against film screening hegemony, and the pride and passion of bringing audiences the movies they love. Are films still relevant? What type of people still go? Also, Serena comes clean about her uncommon taste in the JAWS franchise. 

In this fantastic discussion, we get deep with culture/philosophy podcaster and writer Angie Speaks (Newsweek, Mystic and the Machine) to discuss puriteens, gender hostilities, and the emptiness of sexuality on screen in the context of HBO's The Idol. Sex vs. Sexiness. Men vs. Women. Hollywood vs. Our Souls. 

With the recent passing of rock legend Tina Turner, we take a look back at the 1993 biopic What's Love Got to Do with It. And is the abuse depicted in the film too much for unsuspecting audiences. Content warnings are back in the news following a couple disturbing Cannes screenings, but when does an advisory become necessary? Plus, Mark has an unpopular view on Flamin' Hot Cheetos. 

On this lively ep, we're joined by filmmaker and actor Ali Chappell as she and Serena diagnose the scourge of toxic film bros facing women film programmers, fans, and the movies themselves. Are things changing? What happened to make some guys like this? Is the Barbie movie the only hope humanity will ever know? Mark also offers his thoughts but mainly sits down and listens! 

Ryan Jackson (Mutual Aberration Society) joins us to talk about Wes Craven's 1991 housing crisis horror The People Under the Stairs. We also get into it about recent horror foregrounding its subtext, and the ahistorical stance that the genre is only newly about social issues. Plus, is there a Black Canon? The Beef controversy. And everything else, too! 

This is the Ultimate Jason Eisener Interview! We talk to the filmmaker (HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN, DARK SIDE OF THE RING) about his new movie KIDS VS. ALIENS. Plus, making DIY films in Dartmouth and Halifax, childhood movie traumas, the Anchor Bay DVD era and much more! Check out KIDS VS. ALIENS now on Blu-ray and Shudder.