There Was A Sale is an independent podcast and a unique opportunity to turn the shame of impulsive buying decisions into a rewarding, generative experience. Join hosts Kayla and Matt as they explore the items that make up Matt's various media collections and consider their artistic and cultural meri…
Kayla Haas and Matthew Grant: Media Reviewers and (Un)Successful Minimalists
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read The Walking Dead, Vol. 1 (2003). They discuss exploring interpersonal dramas through zombie narratives, types of zombies, and Kayla's deleted note that could have solved all of humanity's problems while drinking Rogue Ale's Dead Guy Ale.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about This One Summer (2014). They discuss Kayla's almost accurate prediction, childhood summertime freedom, movie rentals, salt lakes, acceptable levels of tension, and finding enjoyment in every season while drinking Perth Brewery's Easy Amber.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about Hellboy (1994). They discuss Kayla's coffee drinking habits, information overload, mythology and folklore, Rasputin, Nazis, and the nature of confusion while drinking Clifford Brewing Company's Devil's Punchbowl India Session Lager.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read Sweet Tooth. They discuss dodging people at the LCBO, Kayla's need to read Wikipedia entries about TV shows, art styles, what to eat during an apocalypse, and karate as an essential skill for the end of the world.
CW: Brief discussion of suicide and domestic violence. In this episode, Kayla and Matt read Sandman. They discuss reality in comics, Kayla's love of discussing her dreams, being scared vs. being horrified, and perceptions of dreams and death while drinking Pommies' Apple Cider.
Content Warning: we talk about suicide and suicidal ideation in this episode. We also use the term "commit suicide" and want to acknowledge that this language places undue blame on a person living with mental illness. In this episode, Kayla and Matt read Marbles (2012). They discuss perceptions of mental illness, the intersection of creativity and mental health, life lessons, and the power of personal narratives while drinking Collective Arts Blueberry Sour with Cacao Nibs.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read Watchmen (1987). They discuss old barcodes, comic-ception, owls, Kayla's inability to follow a plot, and moral obligations, while drinking Hometown Brewing Company's Blue County Blueberry Saison.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read Locke & Key Vol. 1. They discuss confusing plot devices, Kayla's surprising admission, ghosts, and all-purpose keys while drinking Skeleton Crew Brewing Company's Evil Genius Session IPA.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read Calvin and Hobbes. They discuss Matt's childhood, comic-induced existential dread, misbehaving children, stuffed animals, and tender moments while drinking Tiger Asian Lager.
TW: We talk about true crime and violence against women a lot in this episode. If these things are triggers for you, you may want to skip this one. In this episode, Kayla and Matt read Green River Killer (2011). They discuss PAs (pale ales), Kayla's no-so-secret true crime obsession, honouring the stories of victims, and the impossibility of knowing everything while drinking Great Lakes Brewery's As Far Back as I Can Remember New England IPA.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read Saga Vol. 1. They discuss planets vs. moons, things Kayla never wanted to see, cats, unicorns, and celery while drinking Forked River Brewing Company Interstellar IPA.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about Chew, Vol 1 (2009). They discuss comic creation, chicken, supernatural food abilities, and robot conspiracies while drinking La Vieille Ferme Recolte 2018.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about The Pelee Project (2002). They discuss Matt's bad attitude, spirituality and connection, islanders vs. tourists, Nicolas Cage, and Margaret Atwood while drinking Pelee Island Winery's Lola Rose Sparkling Wine.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read The Hobbit (1937). They discuss how Matt can read, Kayla's harrowing experience with The Hobbit as a child, Siri's expertise, and life lessons while drinking Wychwood Brewery Hobgoblin Legendary Ruby Beer and Folly Brewing Heist Sour Pale Ale. Also, Matt maybe met Bilbo!
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat (1985). They discuss the importance of personal narratives, invisible disabilities, bagelhood, and how to get a celebrity's attention while drinking Small Pony Barrel Works Half Remembered Dream.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read The Left Hand of Darkness (1969). They discuss Kayla's birthplace, narration styles, the solution to the patriarchy, and tall people while drinking Omnipollo Raspberry Aniara.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read The Age of Innocence (1920). They discuss Kayla's inability to read old books, men's cowardice, missed connections, and walks down memory lane while drinking Great Lakes Brewery Pompous Ass English Ale.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read The Talented Mr. Ripley (1955). They discuss the freedoms of the social elite, unreliable narrators, admiring vs. becoming, writing Queer narratives, and the ease of covering up a murder without modern technology while drinking Innis & Gunns Mangoes on the Run Mango IPA.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read In Defense of Food (2008). They discuss health claims, making choices based on tradition vs. science, and grocery shopping with your great grandparents while drinking Chateau Pineraie Cahors 2015.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read The Amulet of Samarkand (2003). They discuss Matt's strengths and weaknesses, fantasy vs. science fiction, and life lessons taught by demons while drinking Innis & Gunn's Kindred Spirits Stout.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read The Day of the Triffids (1951). They discuss large print books, human reactions to trauma, strong survival instincts, and finding true love while drinking Trailer Park Boys Green Bastard IPA.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1985) by Douglas Adams. They discuss the best away to avoid scary situations, Kayla's inability to grasp things greater than humanity, and Matt's love of sad but funny things while drinking Flying Monkey Brewing Co. Sparklepuff Triple IPA.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read Geek Love (1989) by Katherine Dunn. They discuss family dynamics and legacies, Fabulon politics, power and control, and how to form a cult, while drinking Bell City Brewing Company's Eureka Amber Cream Ale
In this episode, Kayla and Matt read Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling. They discuss Harry's Awakening, the comedic talents of J.K. Rowling, Dumbledore's infinite wisdom, and Matt's inability to remember basic plot details.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt take a walk down 2018 memory lane. They discuss their top three films (in no particular order), their least favourite film (or films), and Kayla's most accurate/entertaining official predictions.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about The Third Man (1949). They discuss zany openings, white men causing problems, white men solving problems, and white men as the problem while drinking Nickelbrook Brewing's Duplicitous Citra Dry-Hopped Sour.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about All That Heaven Allows (1955). They discuss the film that started Matt's Criterion Collection, melodrama, trick endings, minimalism, the intersections of being a mother, widow, lover, and woman, and the colours while drinking North Ontario Brewing Co. Tree Topper Red Ale.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970). They discuss surrealist horror, how to become a vampire, predatory men, symbolic imagery, describing dreams to friends, and first world problems while drinking Czechvar Dark Lager.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about A Man Escaped (1956). They discuss the nature of relationships in prison, Kayla's pen name, the intricacies of planning an escape, minimalism, vampires, and self-determination while drinking Beau's Three Knocks Sticke At.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about Dazed and Confused (1993). They discuss the empty promises of high school in movies, how to be cool, concert band, tradition vs. progress, and the responsibility of adult role models while drinking Hometown Brew Co. Southern Ale.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about The 39 Steps (1935). They discuss Hitchcock's proficiency at books, overt vs covert misogyny, the impossibility of being found in the Highlands, and the location of the first Airbnb while drinking Innis & Gunn's Bourbon Barrel Scotch Ale.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about The Devil's Backbone (2001). They discuss complex characters, subterranean pools, murder misdirection, and the rules of being a ghost while drinking Beau's Blood Simple Blood Orange Witbier.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about The 400 Blows (1959). They discuss Kids Bikers: The Movie, the advent of location shooting, why art imitates life, secret milk, and Matt's dream of living in Paris as a 10-year old child while drinking Hop City's 8th Sin Black Lager AND Mad & Noisy's Orange Pale Ale.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about Paths of Glory (1957). They discuss the proper way to address a General, the line between cowardice and common sense, when you can show emotion in wartime, and the need to fight injustice (and the patriarchy) while drinking Collective Arts Brewing Saint of Circumstance Citrus Blonde Ale.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt watch The Rules of the Game (1939). They discuss what rich, white people do in their spare time, how a movie becomes "The Best Movie", real animal death in movies, and the need for evening lipstick while drinking Elora Brewing Company's Lady Friend IPA.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about Bicycle Thieves (1948). They discuss post-war employment practices, the necessity of bicycle locks, expectations of "the man of the house", and the unconditional love between a father and son while drinking Amsterdam Brewery 3 Speed Lager.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about Sword of the Beast (1965). They discuss competition in nature, the continual assault of women in film, unrealistic fight scenes, and 1800s Japanese currency conversion while drinking Big Rig Brewery Gold Lagered Ale.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about Do the Right Thing (1989). They discuss racial tensions in New York, cactus shirts, and methods of cooling down on a hot day while drinking Miller High Life.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about Port of Shadows (1938). They discuss the outcome of loose lips, best dogs in film, what gets lost in translation, and representations of masculinity in pre-war France while drinking Longslice Brewery Loose Lips Lager.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about Stagecoach (1939). They discuss Indigenous politics and representation in media, the American Dream, and answer the question: "what is a stagecoach?" while drinking Cameron's Brewing Co. Where the Buffalo Roam.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about Tokyo Drifter (1966). They discuss movies inspired by songs, the greatest betrayal, surreal set pieces, and Kayla's intuitive film genius while drinking Block 3 Brewing Company's The Legend saison.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about In a Lonely Place (1950). They discuss Frankenstein's monster, unfortunate (read: the best) character names, and sketchy police practices while drinking 5 Paddles Brewing Company's Home Sweet Home beer.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about The Kid (1921). They discuss under-cranking, the sin of motherhood, and the benefits of blankets that double as ponchos while drinking Refined Fool Brewing Company's Suburban Menace American Amber.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about The Seventh Seal (1957). They discuss playdough faces, dodging death, the validity of Swedish Chef impressions, and the difference between black and white films and film noir while drinking Amsterdam Boneshaker IPA.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about Day for Night (1973). They discuss the intricacies of making a movie about movies, how animals make everything better, and how peeking behind the curtain makes everything bad (according to Kayla) while drinking Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about Crumb (1994). They discuss underground comics, nice guys and hipsters, and the tensions of creating art for an audience while drinking Nickel Brook Brewing Company's Naughty Neighbour IPA and Central City Brewer's Red Racer ISA.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about Le Bonheur (1965). They discuss the cutest kids on film, Bill Hader's raw sexual magnetism, and cinematic ambiguity and genre-shifting.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). They discuss the secret strength of the movie (read: Alec Baldwin), bird ransom, and death and permanence in film.
In this episode, Kayla and Matt talk about Seven Samurai (1954). They explore the merits of black & white filmmaking, the optimal number of samurai needed for defending a mid-sized farming village, and reveal the origins of There Was a Sale.