The Movie Jerks

Have Christmas movies gone too far? We chat with Danny Fournier (Oddball Productions) about the exaggerations, the extremities, and the excess shown in Christmas films may affect the way we look at the Holiday Seasons. 

Back for his annual Christmas movie visit, we get to chat with Olav Rokne about Dolly Parton Christmas movies (Christmas in Dollywood and Christmas on the Square) while he is in Dollywood. In this episode Olav delivers one of the best description breakdowns of a Hallmark Christmas movie we have ever heard.

Coming back for our holiday tradition, we chat to Christine Lesiak and Ian Walker about Christmas... but still not about movies. We started with watching the yule log, then moved onto Christmas commercials, and now we've moved on up to Christmas television specials. Will we get to your favorite special? 

Returning to the our most popular subject (in the States) we bring back Kelly Soloduka and Kevin Alexander to explore horror films with teens being murdered. Our past attempts have lead us to see such classics as "Don't F**k in the Woods", "Hooker with a Hacksaw", and worst of all "Jeepers Creepers 3". Will this round be as successful? 

Chris Vander Kaay joins the jerks (JP Fournier and Shawn Gramiak) once again, this time exploring films with Paranormal Police Procedurals. 

Halloween is the perfect time to catch up on our classic MGM, Hammer, and other brand of monster flicks. In this episode, Valarie Savard is back on the show to pick a mystery monster flick. Will we pick your favorite monster? 

In this episode we take a request from returning guest Liam Leroux, who asked us to persuade Chris Vander Kaay into watching an Ernest P Worrell film. He gladly accepted the challenge and turned the episode into an exploration into clueless heroes. So time to honour some dummies.

We reunite with our beloved comic friend Winston Herbert and dive into the ever adapting subgenre of Body Swapping movies. Our Mystery Movie pick this time might have been one of the more disappointing films.  

This episode was pre-recorded back in June 2021.  We join up once again with our Genre/Sub-genre expert, author Christopher Vander Kaay and discuss movies that present abandoned cities. 

In this episode, Liam Leroux is back. He's got a new book out in the market "The Jesus Project" https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Problem-Liam-LeRoux/dp/1006800492. So in honor of the title of his book, we chose to do another "Mystery Movie" episode, this time focusing on religious films. Will we see a faith film, an atheist films, or an Ernest P Worrell film? 

In this episode, the Jerks (JP Fournier and Shawn Gramiak) reach out to our genre/subgenre expert author Chris Vander Kaay to talk about films that mix live action actors with cartoon characters, like "Space Jam" and also "Space Jam: A New Legacy"). Chris' works can be found: (https://www.amazon.com/Christopher-Vander-Kaay/e/B00MHS11VK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share_) 

In this week episode we chat with our good friend, comedian Howie Miller about Indigenous films we believe deserve more attention. 

We bring on an old comic pal, David Hughes  to join us on Zoom to watch "Host" a movie about a seance performed on Zoom.  It's a double Zoomy episode. A Zoom within a Zoom? 

In this episode we study our home provinces and states and examine how films represent our locals. Get ready to see how the rest of the world sees Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Florida thanks to the art of films. Author Chris Vander Kaay joins in our explorations. 

In this episodes with talk with comedian, Jason Rouse, (https://linktr.ee/jasonrouse666) about his part in the up coming exploitation thrill ride "Spare Parts" available for purchase June 1st, 2021 https://www.amazon.com/Spare-Parts-Blu-ray-Julian-Richings/dp/B08YML2VDT/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=spare+parts&qid=1622154996&sr=8-5. We chat about his career, details about the film, and chat about video nasties and the need for uncensored art. 

In this episode we, The Movie Jerks, chat with an old friend, author, and comedian, Dawn Dumont about her books as well as two movies titled "Vamps". If we were on our game, we could have released this on Mother's Day, as Dawn chats with us while we hear her son and friend having fun in the background. Oh well. Let's just pretend we, The Movie Jerks, were perceptive for once. 

In this episode, author Chris Vander Kaay, joins us as we look at old, new, and odd movie Trailers. We discuss how movie trailers have changed throughout the years, what we like and dislike, and reflect on some iconic movie trailers. 

We join up with acclaimed chef, David Husereau to look at famous and not so famous cooking scenes in films then get his professional opinion on the authenticity of the scenes. An episode to get your appetite working overtime.  

It this episode, Chris Vander Kaay joins the Movie Jerks to explore films with protagonist's live changing completely from the events from one day. We chat about multiple versions of this sub-subgenre, along with the benefits through story boarding, budget, and locations from keeping the story within a day's timeline.   

We bring on puppets collector/actor Matt Alden ("Tiny Plastic Men") to chat about puppetry in movies. We watch a collection of puppet scenes and discuss if they work or not. Audio podcast out today, video coming soon. 

In this episode, the Movie Jerks (JP Fournier and Shawn Gramiak) join up with author Christopher Vander Kaay and look at films showing stories in real time. We explore multiple titles, different reasons for this style, and the strength and weaknesses of these methods of showing a story in real time.  (https://www.amazon.com/Christopher-Vander-Kaay/e/B00MHS11VK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

In this episode, The Movie Jerks are joined by director Galen W.E. Pendleton ("Truckstop Bloodsuckers" and "Nightmare Island: The Legend of Hookface"https://www.youtube.com/user/WimpyBoyProductions)  take a look at mixed scenes from a variety of Horror Comedies. The episode does contain some visual humor and a video edit of the podcast will be released on a later date, but for now, here's the audio version. 

Just in time for Valentine's Day, we dive into the topic of romantic film... in horror movies. Author Chris Vander Kaay ("Life After Death" https://www.amazon.ca/Life-After-Death-Chris-Vander-ebook/dp/B08HHT6RQF) joins The Movie Jerks once again to take a look at love stories in scary films. 

With our first episode of 2021, The Movie Jerks chat with the multitalented Tristan Risk ("American Mary",  "The Editor" and "Aliens Ate My Homework") http://www.caravanofcuriosities.com about her upcoming projects, her past films, her connections in the world of body modifications and so much more. Check out her short film "Parlour Tricks" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDcHm_ezslM.  

In this episode, we are united again with Danny Fournier (Oddballproductions.ca) in our yearly Christmas episode. This time we are tackling the subject of Santa Claus being portrayed as a hero/superhero in films. We start off with this year's newest Santa Claus flick "Fatman" with Mel Gibson, then breakdown the Santa films where Santa literally saves the day. 

For this year's Hallmark Christmas movie review we invited James Ross on the show, but not informing him he would be watching a Hallmark Christmas film. HIs enthusiasm when finding out was certainly higher than our shared opinion of the film. We watched "Double Holliday" and here's the episode to prove it. 

In this episode, The Movie Jerks are joined once again by last year's Fire log episode guests, Christine Lesiak and Ian Walker (The "For Science" Duo). This time, instead of sitting by a fireplace, we look at famous Christmas Commercials, old and new. From simple to the point short adds to the big budget cinematic epics, we take on all kinds. Join us in this unorthodox episode that is perfect for the season.   

Bringing in the Christmas season, we bring back our yearly Christmas guest Olav Rokne. This time we explore good Christmas movies that don't get the recognition they deserve. And be sure to check out Olav's up coming "Future Talks" Science fiction discussion at https://www.futureconsf.com/futuretalks?fbclid=IwAR3buE4Lc2dZGNPVUJVILZlIvyCkpS5yCAR4VStSllbyxrAVIsGAWI8uwBU#h.pd54u1xsx3ss .  

David Rae has been the unluckiest guest when it comes to movie picks. Will this change if he's the one that picks the film for us? Is it a coincidence that he picked VelociPastor on our 420 episode? Can he redeem himself from his last 7 appearances? Tune in to find out? 

In this episode with are joined by author Chris Vander Kaay ("Life After Death", "Spoiler Alerts" and "The Anatomy of Fear") and dive into films that allow inanimate objects to have a personality.    You can find Chris' books available at Amazon.  https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=chris+vander+kaay&crid=38G8JXN5209S2&sprefix=chris+vander%2Caps%2C206&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-a-p_1_12)

In this episode with are joined by author Chris Vander Kaay ("Life After Death", "Spoiler Alerts" and "The Anatomy of Fear") and dive into films that allow inanimate objects to have a personality.    You can find Chris' books available at Amazon.  https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=chris+vander+kaay&crid=38G8JXN5209S2&sprefix=chris+vander%2Caps%2C206&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-a-p_1_12)

We catch up Rob Pue (@RobPue_) during his Canadian stand-up tour. Socially distant together we watch the ambitious independent action, "Death Grip" featuring "The Stunt People".   

On episode 417, we bring back one of our horror experts, Kevin Alexander, to look into movies about mind control. We watch "Possessor" and "The Fury"

Back again for our traditional Halloween episode is Comedian Paul Sveen (www.paulsveen.com) and make up effects talent Noreen (Nernie) Sveen. This year they asked us to watch the iconic Halloween anthology "Trick 'r Treat" and we counter picked the infamous "Deadtime Stories". One clearly a great film and the other... a typical Movie Jerks pick. 

We chat with author Chris Vander Kaay about his latest novel "Life After Death". We discuss children movies that traumatized us as children. Why children films from the past appear to be more frightening, depressing, and shocking than modern family friendly films.  You can order his latest novel at: https://www.amazon.ca/Life-After-Death-Chris-Vander-ebook/dp/B08HHT6RQF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=life+after+death+vander+kaay&qid=1603301405&sr=8-1

It this episode, the Movie Jerks (JP and Shawn) reach out to spoken word artist, Martin Dockery (https://www.martindockery.com/) and his current and upcoming "Right Now" monthly shows (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUQEIxfIx0wGQ-6bpjeRRiQ). Then we dive into the iconic original "Planet of the Apes" and then the Tim Burton disastrous remake.    

In this episode we talk with the world's shortest daredevil, Short E Dangerously (http://www.shortedangerously.com/). We look into two films inspired by real life cults, "Red State" and "Split Image". 

Starting our October horror month, we chat with our buddy horror fan, writer, comedian, Trent Wilkie. This week we focus on Haunted House flicks about people stuck inside their homes. Both films, "Housebound" and "I am a Ghost" break conventional tropes and traditions of the old Haunted House genres and look into how they stand up from their peers. 

In this episode, we chat with comedian/actress Emily Burden about classic romantic films. Can a modern romantic hit, "The Kissing Booth" compare to a classic such as the iconic "Roman Holiday"? Well that answer may be split entirely among us three? 

We chat with Mark Meer about his upcoming shows, Gordon't Big Bald Head Presents: Good Head, (https://www.grindstonetheatre.ca/shows/good-head-sept-26/, Stitch of Fate Podcast (https://podbynight.libsyn.com/) along with his Masters of Improv shows with Donovan Workun (https://spotlightcabaret.ca/shows/improv-comedy-with-donovan-and-mark-2020-07-30/).  We also poke his D&D brain to examine the oddities that are the infamous, "Dungeons & Dragons" films. 

We bring back our film genre expert, Chris Vander Kaay (Author of "Spoiler Alert!: The Badass Book of Movie Plots: Why We All Love Hollywood Cliches") for a monthly series of what he calls "Not Quite a Genre", lists of re-occuring themes, events, actions, and tropes that can connection to similar types of films. This first round of "Not Quite a Genre" is called "Ding Dong Die" movies centered on one locations, preferably a home, where villains appear at the door to wreak havoc. We list several films that meet this criteria giving out advise on which films to seek out and which ones to avoid. No spoilers in these episodes. 

After a few weeks hiatus due to a fire at the Movie Jerks' home base, we are back again. In this episodes we chat with director/producer, Mike Peterson ("Knuckleball", "Harpoon", and "Fake Blood") about the over looked Michael Bay film "The Island" along with the baffling reimagined Blumhouse's "Fantasy Island".   

In this week's episode, we talk to Canadian actor/comedian/voice actor Sean Cullen https://seancullen.com  ("Just for Laughs", "Last Comic Standing 6", "The Willoughbys"), about his upcoming shows (The Cocktail Hour https://sidedooraccess.com/artists/SeanCullenCocktailHour), and 1987 top Box Office money maker "Beverly Hills Cop 2" plus the same years Box Office bomb "Ishtar". And for more Sean Cullen content you can go to https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11772136.      Feature Artist Of The Month:

We catch up with our friends, Ryan Stock and Amber Lynn ("Guinea Pig", "America's Got Talent" and The Ryan and Amber Show https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePzKF7YjLwOiQkYCI5RU0w/videos) to talk about their amazing career, the greatness that is Harold Lloyd, and "Idiocracy".  

We bring back Chris Vander Kaay to hear about his new Indie Film Making Master Class (https://www.viewmonster.com/MasterClass/?fbclid=IwAR1X2-b4xUt5rF9q_EJ3WbRlc5y7Y71-ZZ7vnucG3DuBMD0dLM4R_L2sd08). We run through the gamut of Fake Documentaries, good and bad. Consider this a catelogue of Mockumentaries.   

In this episode, we thought we would class up the show a bit and look at two independent films, "Hooker with a Hacksaw" and "Hot Wax Zombies on Wheels". And who might be the best guest to dive into two quality films like those ones... That's right... Kelly Soloduka. 

This week we chat with the multi-talented John Wing (America's Got Talent, Just For Laughs, and Winnipeg Comedy Fest) about his new podcast The Bad Piano Player (https://www.buzzsprout.com/988123). We chat about two vampire films that have aged well, "The Lost Boys" and "John Carpenter's Vampires". 

Today's episode we return to chatting with director/writer Galen W.E. Pendleton as we look into the crazy film career of martial artist champion, Cynthia Rothrock. We look into one of her more imfamus films "Undefeatable" along with one of her more sensual films "Sworn to Justice".   

In this episode, the Movie Jerks talk with the multi-talented Peter Brown (https://brownknowsventures.com/) from CBC's Radio Active, The Irrelevant Show, Keynote Speaker "The Humour Quotient: Laugh Your Way Through Stress" , Emceing, Musical Comedy, and much, much more. We chat about one film that set off a successful director's career and another film that may have ended a successful director's career.  

On our 400th episode, we chat with the beloved Mike Wilmot and get advice on how to live through a pandemic, the state of stand-up comedy, and hear his controversial take on "John Wick 3". 

It's been a long time since we've requested one of our guests to watch something completely out of this world and we have a pretty good idea they might not appreciate our choice. Come to think of it... it has also been a long time since we have had Mike Dambra on the show. Hmmm. This might be the perfect time to for us to dive into "Funky Forest: The First Contact". Mike is going to love us!!!