North of Normal

Guest Colin Everett and host Andrew Hunter Scholey discuss "Monkey Warfare" (2006). A film that's been on the list to-do for a while. This episode they also discuss direct action activism, specifically the nearly forgotten Canadian activist group, The Squamish Five. A brief chat about the Jean-Luc Goddard film, "La Chinoise". But mainly they discuss the cast, especially the late Tracy Wright and how great she is.

In this episode, Ryan Barnett returns to discuss his latest projects with host Andrew Hunter Scholey. They include his recent series "Story Girl" about beloved author Lucy Maud Montgomery, and his upcoming series about another beloved Canadian, John Candy. They then move into discussing a film that Ryan suggested, the Quebec "Maple Syrup Porno" film, "Valérie" (1969). What is that genre of film anyways? Why does this film exist? Is this film any good? And is this film actually one of the most important Canadian films ever made? The answer to that last question is yes. For answers to the other questions, you'll just have to listen.

Who could talk for over an hour and a half about the Daniel Radcliffe/Adam Driver-starring romcom? James Thornton and Andrew Hunter Scholey can of course.... Take the romantic plunge as they discuss the careers of the film's young cast, some random hot takes about relationships and dating and ultimately.... Why did no one see this (mostly) charming take on the old genre.

In this episode, Andrew Hunter Scoley and Colin Everett sit down to discuss "It's All Gone Pete Tong" (2004): the second feature film by Canadian FUBAR director Michael Dowse. Is this even a Canadian film? What does the film's title even mean? How does this movie age in terms of its portrayal of disabilities? That and much more are discussed within.

Skyler Greencorn and Andrew Hunter Scholey dust the cobwebs off of the Cronenberg series and return with a doozy: David Cronenberg's criminally under seen 2002 film, "Spider". They explore where is David at this point in his career. Why no one seems to have seen this film despite it being very good. Some crazy things that were going on around this film when it was made that impacted some of those involved. All of this and a brief chat about the passing of the other David... David Lynch.

In this episode Andrew Hunter Scholey and Melissa Jean Miller take a serious dive into a serious look into the world of competitive cheerleading. First they talk about some changes at the show, including a fun new art project on the podcasts socials. Then they go into producer/director/songwriter D.W. Waterhouse and producer/lead actor Devery Jacobs' amazing feature film. They discuss the crazy world of competitive cheerleading, ambition in the face of mental health and for fun the hosts talk about how their anxieties manifest. Fun! Oh and also they discuss the best shot from a film last year. So yeah, there's that.

In this episode, host Andrew Hunter Scholey and James Thornton get into the Valentine's spirit with an episode they've been meaning to do since day one. How is this film through the lens of those living in Nova Scotia, where the movie was filmed and takes place? Why did the film get butchered and not seen as intended for almost 40 years? Why do James and Hunter discuss their disdain for public showers? Tune in to find out about "the most Canadian horror film ever made" and a personal fav of the hosts.

This episode we dive back into the world of Director/Writer, Andrea Dorfman. Host Andrew Hunter Scholey and returning guest Melissa Jean Miller discuss Dorfman's 2014 film collaboration with musician/poet Tany Davis, "Heartbeat". They also discuss their first project together, the wildly popular short film/youtube video "How to Be Alone", and the themes it shares with "Heartbeat". Our hosts also discuss the difficult relationships artists can have with their art, what local film locations from the film Hunter could figure out and also discuss...... babies and parenting.... just a little.

RUMOURS! GUY MADDIN! Since it's been a bit, Colin Everett and Andrew Hunter Scholey take a massive dive into the highly anticipated new release by one of Canada's greatest directors! Where has Guy Maddin been for the last decade? Why is Cate Blanchett in this weird Canadian film and why does she rule? What's with the giant brain in the woods? Does the Canadian Prime Minister practice safe sex? All will(?) be answered as the hosts have a blast discussing one of their favourite films of the year!

James Thornton returns to discuss a fav of host Andrew Hunter Scholey. They tackle the career of director Phillip Borsos, the unusual production of the film, and Hunter has another chance to gush about one of his favourite actors, Richard Farnsworth. Strap in for a discussion about one of the best Canadian films ever made.

In this episode, Colin Everett is back to discuss "Whale Music" (1994). They tackle not just the film, but also the novel it is based on, the author of the novel and the screenwriter of the film Paul Quarrington, and the band that provided the film's score: The Rheostatics. Where do they land on this ambitious film?

In this dense episode tackling this NFB Canadian classic, James Thornton and Andrew Hunter Scholey cover (checks notes).... The historical log drivers and their importance in Canada's development as a country; the song's composer Wade Hemsworth and his influence on Canadian music; the 60's Montreal folk scene; Quebec separatism and the 1980 referendum; the film's animator and director John Weldon and his prolific career; the Canada Vignettes and their role in the NFB but also Canadian identity; and finally (*breathe...*) what do they finally have to say about the film itself?

This episode, Colin Everett returns to talk about the underrated classic, "Owning Mahowny" (2003). With host Andrew Hunter Scholey, they discuss the career of the film's star, Philip Seymour Hoffman, depictions of addiction in film, and nostalgia for yellow police cars. Also, this movie is awesome and you should just watch it if you haven't.

This episode Melissa Jean Miller joins Andrew Hunter Scholey to discuss the recent documentary, "The Movie Man" (2024) and also their trip to the subject of the film, The Highland Cinemas in Kenmount, Ontario.

James Thornton is back because he wanted to discuss "New Waterford Girl" (1999), a unique coming of age film set in Cape Breton. His conversation with host Andrew Hunter Scholey covers a wide variety of topics, among which are the surprisingly fascinating early career of the film's director Alan Moyle, life in small towns, as well as how the film's plot plays with how certain aspects of women are portrayed in media.

With the passing of Canadian acting legend Donald Sutherland, Andrew Hunter Scholey and James Thornton decided to delay their previously planned episode. Instead they are discussing Sutherland's films produced in Canada and abroad. Then their discussion delves into one of Sutherland's most overlooked films: the medical drama, "Threshold" (1981).

Returning to NoN is Ryan Barnett, the host of the podcast "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North". Ryan has also written a graphic novel about silent film star Buster Keaton. One of Keaton's final films was a project with the Canadian National Film Board called, "The Railrodder" (1965), so Ryan was the perfect guest to have on to discuss. In this episode, host of NoN Andrew Hunter Scholey and Ryan Barnett discuss his graphic novel with artist Matthew Tavares, "Buster: A Life in Pictures". What got him into silent film and Buster in the first place? His research and ultimately interviewing the director of the film Gerald Potterton. All in all a great chat about not just Canadian cinema, but also the golden age of Hollywood and one of its biggest stars.

So, NoN host Andrew Hunter Scholey decided to watch that new Toronto-based "Law & Order" show that just came out. When he came across the episode that was "ripped from the headlines" about the Canadian bread price-fixing scandal "Minnow and the Shark", something struck a nerve and decided he wanted to talk about it. NoN regular Colin Everett answered the call, and they discuss copaganda shows, the staggering amount of "Law & Order" episodes that have been produced what sets this Canadian version apart. And of course, the current cost of living, corporate greed, and how this show decides to portray it.

While the latest NoN wraps production, our friends at Knockabout Media have been producing a great show called "How I Wrote This". In this show, host Pamela Hensly interviews various authors of various media about what shapes their art. In their latest episode, Wiebke von Carolsfeld is interviewed. Wiebke has directed numerous Canadian feature films including "Marion Bridge" (2002), and "Stay" (2013), which makes this chat a great pairing with NoN subject matter. Check it out, and a new NoN is on it's way!

Well, NoN has made it to its hundredth episode. And to celebrate, James Thornton stopped by to have a very brief chat with Andrew Hunter Scholey about possibly the greatest episode of television ever.

James Thornton and Andrew Hunter Scholey sit down to discuss the beloved animated film "The Cat Came Back" (1988) as well as the career of animator/director Cordell Barker.Intro/Outro music for this episode is by Old Reverend Randell. Listen to his work here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6cbFhd3cMg3eq1dUdkjGJnThanks Randy!

Turns out host Andrew Hunter Scholey and returning Cronenberg series co-host Skyler Greencorn have a lot to say about "eXistenZ" (1999).

This episode: two people who are not sports fans discuss a film about Hockey. It's host Andrew Hunter Scholey and James Thornton having the chat.

Host Andrew Hunter Scholey is fortunate to have a chat with screenwriter and playwright Douglas Bowie about his involvement with the 1986 biopic "The Boy In Blue".

After gremlins caused a bunch of technical issues, host Andrew Hunter Scholey eventually sat down with Colin Everett to discuss the early Nicolas Cage-starring rowing epic, "The Boy In Blue" (1986)! Flustered and saltier than normal, they discuss Nic Cage (obviously), the film's subject-- rower Ned Hanlan-- and how hard it is to find any information on this film. Where do they land on this obscure and nearly forgotten piece of a Hollywood legend's career? One way to find out.....

This episode, North of Normal is delighted to sit down and have a chat with Ethan Eng. Ethan is the co-writer and director of the incredible film "Therapy Dogs" (2022), a film about creativity and high school. Check out Ethan's film and join Ethan and host Andrew Hunter Scholey as they go into the film's background, the process of making such a unique film, and what it's like when your art goes out into the world after living with it for a long time.

This episode, North of Normal is thrilled to have Matthew Kieswetter returning to discuss "BlackBerry" (2023)! With host Andrew Hunter Scholey, they discuss their relationships with technology, what this film has to say about Matthew's hometown of Waterloo, and what is up with that whole Vampires thing?

It's New Years Day 2024. Andrew Hunter Scholey and Melissa Jean Miller are hanging about. They are up and motivated after the previous evening's festivities and are going to discuss Sarah Polley's amazing third feature, "Stories We Tell" (2012).

In this episode we have Ryan Barnett on to venture back into the world of Winnipeg director, Guy Maddin! Ryan is the host of his own podcast about Canadian media titled "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood North" that everyone should listen to. However, in this episode we delve into "The Saddest Music in the World" (2003)!

Melissa Jean Miller returns to help host Andrew Hunter Scholey tackle the most beloved Canadian film ever made. How does it hold up almost 40(!) years later? How does it compare to the many adaptations of the beloved novel (of which there are many)? What is Hunter's opinion of a children's book about an orphan girl that is over a century old after reading it for the first time? These questions and many other things are addressed in this massive breakdown of a Canadian classic.

This one is a doozy. Tackling a giant of Canadian cinema, Andrew Hunter Scholey and James Thornton sit down to discuss Norman McLaren. Possibly the most influential filmmaker in Canadian history, there is a lot to unpack. To discuss Norman one has to discuss the history of the National Film Board of Canada and it's impact on Canadian film. His pioneering animation techniques and the state of animation in North America in the 1930's to the 1960s. And that's just to start. Oh, and they eventually get around to discussing his 1952 Academy Award winning film "Neighbours".

Skyler Greencorn returns to discuss one of David Cronenberg's most controversial films, "Crash" (1996). With host Andrew Hunter Scholey, they discuss "the sex car crash film", the psychology of the car and driving as well as a couple of odd film comparisons for good measure. How does this film age, and is it still shocking over twenty years later? Gotta listen for all of that.

For a Halloween episode, Andrew Hunter Scholey and Colin Everett spun the big wheel of Canadian horror and it landed the 2017 Quebecois zombie film, "Ravenous". What are their opinions of a film neither had seen before? How does this film copy too closely and break the zombie formula at the same time? One way to find out.....

Regular co-host (and big Transformers fan) James Thornton has been after Andrew Hunter Scholey for years to talk about Beast Wars, as well as Vancouver animation studio Mainframe. So Hunter-- for the first time-- sat down and watched some Beast Wars episodes James had picked out. How did that go? How confused did Hunter get? How do copyright rules make things even more confusing? One has to listen to this huge deep dive to find out!

In this episode, Melissa Jean Miller returns to discuss the second film of Sarah Polley's directorial carrier, "Take This Waltz" (2011).  Along with host Andrew Hunter Scholey, they discuss and work through their complicated feelings of the film as well as what the show tagline "our relationship with film" really means when being honest with film discussion. Oh, and did you know that there is an amazing Feist song in this film that has never been released? Yep that's a thing. 

First time guest Glen Carabin joins host Andrew Hunter Scholey to discuss the 2018 Astron-6 short film, "Chowboys: An American Folk Tale" (2018)! They get around to doing a surprising deep dive into all things snowy cowboy cannibalism (and capitalism?). Before that, they talk about Glen's independent comic book Dart Mouth, Glen making short films in his youth and of course.... Zombie Santa Claus.Chowboys is available on Astron-6's youtube page. https://www.youtube.com/user/Astron6Video/videosCheck out Clen Carabins Dart Mouth at https://glencarabin.square.site

In this episode, James Thornton returns and wants to talk about a movie where Peter Weller fights a giant rat! Of course since it happens to be a Canadian film, host Andrew Hunter Scholey agreed. They also talk about the NFB documentary, "Ratopolis" (1973). Topics include.... Rats! But also discuss VHS box art, the crazy career of director George P. Cosmatos, and Peter Weller playing a yuppie fighting a giant rat.

Once again Mellisa Miller joins Andrew Hunter Scholey to discuss this landmark of Canadian and Queer Cinema, "I've Heard the Mermaids Singing" (1987). Topics covered are the background and career of writer/director Patricia Rozema, what it means to be an artist, and what early exposure to Japanese food was like in the 80s.

Colin Everett returns with host Andrew Hunter Scholey to discuss "Siege" (1983): a hidden gem of a low budget film shot in the early days of the Halifax film scene. Topics include film preservation, the role police play in our society, and avoiding crowds on Canada day.

James Thornton is back to discuss the Toronto-set "Blood and Donuts" (1995) with host Andrew Hunter Scholey. They also discuss vampires and their evolution in media, as well as what David Cronenberg was up to as an actor in the early 90s.

After a couple of years of trying, long time guests James Thornton and Skyler Greencorn finally assemble with host Andrew Hunter Scholey to have a chat about "PG: Psycho Goreman" (2020).

With this episode, Melissa Miller returns to discuss with host Andrew Hunter Scholey the early acting career and the feature directing debut of Sarah Polley.

This episode, Matthew Kieswetter returns to have a sprawling chat with host Andrew Hunter Scholey about the 1989 Denys Arcand film, "Jesus Of Montreal".

This week host Andrew Hunter Scholey is joined by Ed Brisson to discuss an important landmark film of Quebec cinema, "Léolo" (1992).

In this episode host Andrew Hunter Scholey is joined by returning North of Normal guest James Thornton to talk a really long time about 90 seconds of animation.

James Thornton is back with host Andrew Hunter Scholey to discuss the epic caveman tale, "Quest For Fire" (1981).

Returning guest, Skyler Greencorn, returns with host Andrew Hunter Scholey to continue their series on David Cronenberg! They arrive at 1993 when David released one of his least discussed and possibly most underrated films with "M. Butterfly".

This episode of North of Normal has a very special guest, Julia Borisenko. Julia is the sister of Don Borisenko, the star of "Ivy League Killers" (1959). So join us as we sit down not just to discuss "Ivy League Killers", but also Don's life and acting career. And also to have a little taste of what it was like to be around the early days of modern Canadian cinema!

North of Normal regular, Colin Everett, returns to discuss with host Andrew Hunter Scholey the 2008 language horror film, "Pontypool".

Syler Greencorn returns to have an energetic (sometimes off the rails) discussion with host Andrew Hunter Scholey about the zombie horror film Blood Quantum. They discuss the passing of the films creator and major loss to cinema, Jeff Barnaby. White people discussing indigenous art. As well as the fine art of mulching zombies with a giant snowblower.

James Thornton returns for the first discussion of 2023 to discuss the 2016 film, "The Void".