This Movie's About You

Yes we have James Stewart on This Movie’s About You. And no, it’s not some kind of digital wizardry that has taken known Jame Stewart clips and cleverly rearranged them so it sounds like we’re having an actual conversation. That’s a different James Stewart. This is the real, still very much with us, highly active in the Canadian film industry, king of 3-D technology, James Stewart. I’ve known James for many upon many years, so having him as a guest on the show is a no brainer. What did make it a tough go was getting James at the right time when he wasn’t busy working on his film, FOXED!, making a living by providing his clients with the best 3-D technology has to offer, and giving TED talks. The movie’s he choses aren’t 3-D - but they rightfully should be.

Richard Rotter - filmmaker and Burning Man enthusiast. This is one of those interviews where the interviewee is more on the ball than Louis and me…or rather, than me. It’s the Burning Man thing. Sure we’re here to talk about Richard's career, his inspirations and his chosen double bill, but I couldn’t get past his love of the Burning Man festival (event?). Even Louis has to pry me away from my obsession in order to let Richard do his thing. But listen carefully. As Louis, who is admittedly Hangry (angry due to hunger), brings us back on track - Richard reveals a keen sense of managing…that is, he shows great skill in directing Louis and I away from our obsessions and our hangriness and into a very thoughtful (and I think amusing) interview.

Let’s just start this brief intro by letting you know that at the end of this interview, Joel Thomas Hynes picks up his acoustic guitar and plays not one, but two songs. The songs are as captivating as you might imagine a Joel Thomas Hynes performance to be, but I assure that the journey to that point is equally fascinating. Hynes gives us a frank and honest interview. I doubt he could do it any other way. This one is electric. From talking about his books, his family, his work, his acting and even his ego. Oh yeah, and he also has picked two movies as his favourite double bill. This one is unplugged yet still manages to be electric. http://joelthomashynes.com/

I know plenty of people who think of themselves as steak connoisseurs, but I know only one person who actually is a steak connoisseur. Rob Firing knows his steaks - he also knows the literary world in both capacities as an author and an agent. Rob’s latest book, Steak Revolution, is a beautiful, photographed (most of the pics are Rob’s), hard cover cook book celebrating the fine art of cooking steak. So, it’s of little surprise, at least to me, that one of Rob’s movie choices is an independent gem about the culinary arts. His second film (and I’m purposefully leaving out the titles in hopes you’ll be curious enough to listen in) is a wonderful French thriller, of sorts, that dates back to when Rob was in his early teens dropping in on the UofT student film screenings. The films lead us seamlessly through a conversation about restaurant etiquette, high-school cliques, being different, and really good steaks. I suggest you listen to this one during lunch.

You know Sarah Mercey’s work: Ratatouille, Ferdinand, Wall-e, Toy Story 3, Brother Bear, Lilo & Stitch, Cars…the list goes on. Sarah is one of the top animators in the industry, and one of few women who've made an impact in the field of film animation. However, her movie choices are not animated, at least not animated in the traditional sense. With her double-bill, Shakespeare in Love and Moulin Rouge, reveals Sarah to be a bit of a romantic with a taste for period pieces and costume dramas. But there is far more to these films than just pretty prose and fancy wardrobes just as there is far more to Sarah than talent, ambition and success. Louis and I have a lot of fun with Sarah and dare I say that we get a bit animated ourselves in this interview.

Cassaundra Sloan decides to spend her birthday celebrating with us on This Movie’s About You. And since my birthday is fast approaching, I consider this a kind of gift to me as well. Caussaundra is an actor whose most recent appearance is in Ingrid Veninger’s Porcupine Lake. Already you know she keeps good company - drawing the attention of Veninger is a point in your favour. However, one quickly gets the feeling that Cassaundra, as young as she is (22 as of the podcast) stands well enough on her own accord. That doesn’t prevent her from acknowledging the talents of people like Veninger - or like the person she chooses to make up her ideal double-bill - Ellen Page. Her double bill is JUNO and WHIP IT.

Molly McGlynn - No matter what you say, Molly McGlynn is an amazing name. This is the third and final interview from the Kingston Canadian Film Festival. The interview is done on stage in front of an anticipating audience awaiting the screening of Molly’s film, Mary Goes Lightly. Molly directs what I believe to be (correct me if I’m wrong, folks) a semi-autobiographical tale of an addiction councellor caught up in her own addictions - and then confronted to make ammends with an estranged, but now dying, father. Of course some talk of the film arises, but mostly, we’re hear to chat about Molly’s double-movie bill and the things those films say about her.

Cory Bowles is our guest this week. He’s the writer/director behind the electrifying, but controversial film Black Cop - a movie about a Black Police Officer turning the tables on black profiling, doling out unnecessary harrassment of white folks. It’s distrubing (some find it funny), and it’s powerful. Cory is no doubt a man who’s concerns and interest revolve around his community and the experiences that plague his community. He’s also a thoughtful talent who’s strength of work is not only clear up on screen - whether he’s directing or acting in the iconic Canadian East Coast series, Trailer Park Boys. We have a lot of fun with Cory, our second interview at the Kingston Canadian film festival. This one is taped before a packed us prior to the screening of Black Cop.

Mark Little is our guest! That’s it. That’s all I need to say. And the exclamation mark used at the end of the first sentence is completely and wholly and entirely warranted. Mark Little is our guest and we’re thrilled. …But, for those who might not know who Mark Little is…a bit of background. He’s a comic (first and foremost) an actor and writer (I actually don’t know if he’s a writer but how can you be this talented and funny and not write)? Little’s appearance marks our first in a series of interviews coming from the Kingston Canadian Film Festival. Marks double bill is Wizard of Oz with Return to Oz. Take a listen…this one is one of the best!

Actor, musician, Charlie Kerr, is open about his take on love and relationships. At one point in the interview, he comes close to labeling himself as a serial monogamist. I’m not sure how accurate that assessment is. Maybe it's not serial monogamy but simply a youthful approach to enjoying his time with whoever he’s with. Or, perhaps, he simply loves love. Whatever it is, it plays well into Charlie’s choice for a double bill: Sarah Polley’s Take This Waltz and Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World. Combing all of these things about Charlie, his openness, his youthful approach to romance, and his love of love, makes Charlie Kerr the ideal guest for This Movie’s About You

Sometimes all you need from a film critic is a lesson in how to love movies. That entails a lot of things — like an appreciation for a performance, or a certain style, or ambiance or any of a multitude of things a film critic considers when writing up their review. One of the best in the business of igniting people’s passion for cinema is Toronto’s Now Magazine critic, Norman Wilner. I know Norm pretty well. We share the same enjoyment of film, we show up at a lot of the same functions, the same screenings and film festivals, and we are both active members of the Toronto Film Critic’s Association. I like Norm. It’s easy to — as you will notice when listening to this episode. He has that rare quality among critics of being informed yet curious, opinionated yet open, and, perhaps his most endearing quality, a genuinely pleasant, affable nature. I knew it was going to be great to sit down and talk about his favourite double bill. I don’t know how much Louis and I managed to get out of Norm in turns of personal information and insights — but we sure got to talk about Movies - and sometimes this podcast is thrilled to do just that.

Kate Fenton is the guest this week on TMAY. She’s been directing an original musical called Journey 2016: A Living History of the Revitalization of Regent Park - a production that appeals to Louis’ conscientious socio-politico and urban economic concerns as well as his resolve to address human rights issues…and it appeals to my love of musicals. Kate’s work with Regent Park residents on the musical is captured on film in director Moze Mossanen’s feature documentary, My Piece of the City which, if you’re in Toronto, you can see on February 24 & 25, 2pm at the Bell Lightbox. That makes Kate the director of a play who stars in a movie - not a stretch since Kate is also a filmmaker, a comic (stand-up and sketch), and an acting coach. She also has some pretty good insights into movies, as you’ll hear for yourself when you listen to Kate on This Movie’s About You.

Sometimes I just don’t do enough research before starting an interview. You might think that basic research is the first thing taught in Interviewing 101 yet I have always thought that you can know too much going into an interview. Take this interview with Indigenous Activist, author Lee Maracle when I discover who her grandfather is. The moment is real. I am truly taken by surprise and the result I think is a fresh, lively, and genuinely inspired conversation with Indigenous royalty. I come into this interview excited because of one thing - Lee chose Little Big Man as one film in her double bill. Little Big Man has long been one of my favourite movies. I couldn’t wait to hear what an accomplished Indigenous author and activist had to say about the film. All that is here in this episode of TMAY, but there is so much more. This is one interview I am not going to ever forget and Louis and I hope it’ll be one you’ll find equally engaging.

Former TMAY guest (and I like to think of him as a friend) Daily Planet cohost, Dan Riskin tweeted — “I’m a big fan of Andy Boorman. I can’t wait to hear this one.” Well, Dan, I understand your enthusiasm. Andy Boorman is a comic and a good one. And like many comics, particularly one’s capable of examining the human condition, the state of the world, and have a steady grasp of life around them - Andy is thoughtful as well as funny. There’s a deadpan delivery to Boorman’s approach to the interview which I think plays well when tuning into the podcast. I don’t think Dan Riskin is going to be disappointed - Andy delivers.

Rehaset is a gift to This Movie’s About You. She’s a playwright, a singer, a storyteller — an artist. I couldn’t begin to start labeling exactly in what area she excels because she seems to excel in so many areas. Her movie choices strike me as a bit odd — as you’ll notice when you listen to the podcast - I don’t even try to cover my ignorance — but thank goodness I don’t, because Rehaset seems energized by any opportunity to enlighten and probably challenge. I probably make a bit of a fool out of myself in this interview — being so outrageously charmed and impressed by this young artist. But the fact is — she is charming, and she is strong and has a lot to say and offer. I challenge anyone not to walk away from a conversation with her and not want to hear more. Her film choices are Annie (the John Huston one) and The Sound of Music - and her take on these films even has me reconsidering my stand on how these movies fit into the echelon of cinema.

Professionally his name is Dr. David Galbraith. I know him as my old friend, David, older sibling to my good friend Julie (who I did an informal improv theatrical piece with). When I last saw Dave - circa 1977 - he was studying Marine Biology at the University of Guelph. Subsequently, I incorrectly associate him with Guelph University and Marine Biology despite his well documented achievements as head of the science department at the Royal Botanical Gardens (Canada). Part of that irrational is because David, knowing me to be a film buff, invited me to see A W.C. Fields movie and a Marx Brothers movie at the UofG film club — or film department — who can remember? It was 1977. The effect of seeing those films on a big screen, with an audience, help catapult me from being merely a fan of film to turning film into something of a career. Asking David (Dr. Galbraith, rather) to join us on TMAY is a natural extension of that friendship that began so many years ago, and of a key moment in my film education. This interview is part reunion and part insight into two films — one classic/one bound to be a classic. Here is my friend David on Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival.

I haven’t seen Kyp Harness in years. He was practically a regular on my CIUT show, About Town (which was affectionately dubbed by my friends as About Thom). Back then Kyp was a musician, and he still is but now he’s also an author. He has penned a book on Charlie Chaplin and another on Laurel and Hardy. I didn’t even know he liked the movies. He also recently published a novel called Wigford Rememberies. Kyp brings his knowledge of film classic and otherwise to the TMAY. And then, just like old times, he brings out his guitar and plays us a song — and for me — it’s as if all those years that come between CIUT and now have faded away. Forgive me if I get a bit nostalgic on this one.

One of the best experiences I’ve had with Canadian cinema is Bruce MacDonald’s ground-breaking film, HIGHWAY 61. The film stars my (now) friend Valerie Buhagiar (who did our podcast a few months back) and this week’s guest, Earl Pastko - the devil himself. Now Earl is as far removed from the devil as Scrooge McDuck is from Santa Clause, but he plays the devil so nicely in HIGHWAY 61 that it’s hard to think of him as anyone else. The curse of a good actor. Pastko is one of those Canadian performers I’ve been wanting to meet for a long time. And when I discover that one of his film picks is CUTTER’S WAY, a movie I adore but thought no one has heard of — well, that just seals the deal. Pastko is great.

It takes no time at all to recognize that Marie Bodine is a seasoned podcaster. She has a podcast of her own for you to check out. Marie’s a blast of positive energy that lifts everyone up to the next level. This is a lively and fun conversation — and if Marie ever wants to come back, there will always be a place for her.

Aaron Martin is the creative mind behind the most audacious, and compulsively addictive series on Netflix. SLASHER is a horror series with a different cast and story-line each season. For horror lovers (me) this is television paradise — an eight hour long horror mystery film. There are two seasons up on Netflix now and if there is a George Romero in heaven, there will be a third. I couldn’t wait to meet Aaron. Anyone who could create something like SLASHER (at least one grizzly murder per episode and often more) is someone I have to know. But like most people who venture into dark areas, Martin seems to have a surprisingly gentle demeanor. And the movies he picks are not necessarily the genre films you might expect — or at least ones I expected. And despite my admiration for his work, and for the man — we do have the occasional disagreement — but that just makes this podcast all the more fun to listen to.

Jim Gelcer composes film scores. Naturally he has a thought or two about movies, which makes him a natural guest for TMAY. You’d think a conversation with Jim about movies would be heavy on films with successful film scores — and it is — but once the conversation gets going, you’re likely to discover something entirely ‘other’ about Jim. Jim’s soft, even-toned presentation draws you into his world of film and music, his ideal double-bill and…yoga. You’ll want to stay until the end, and you’ll be glad you did when you hear Jim take to the keyboards.

Capital punishment is an issue I haven’t given much thought to - that is until I met this week's guest, Aubrey Harris. Aubrey spends a lot of his free time speaking out against capital punishment. The root of his rationale stems from humanity, but if that’s not enough to convince you, he has a basket-full of stats and figures to sustain his argument. Aubrey’s double-bill is DEAD MAN WALKING and one of my personal favourites, Stanley Kubrick’s PATHS OF GLORY.

Nothing makes Louis happier than when a fellow Italian joins us on TMAY. So I knew that he was really going to enjoy meeting actor/writer Tony Nappo, and not only because Tony’s Italian. Tony’s a damn good actor with over 130 television and film credits to his name. And he knows his movies. Not surprisingly, Tony’s film choices stick to the DeNiro and Scorsese combo. It's great fun - made more fun with Tony offering up an amazing analysis on DeNiro’s performances and Scorsese’s direction. But it’s listening to Louis bond with our guest over nationality that gives this episode its extra oomph. The only problem is (at least for me) that I tend to fade into the background when the bonding starts happening (just check out the Stephanie Fabrizi episode for proof of that). But tons of fun, and for a short while I actually don’t mind being the third wheel on this particular blind date. Take a listen. This is a good one - and I got to tell you, Louis is really on his game (a lot of LOL’s).

Here’s the thing, while you’re taking the time to listen to this podcast featuring award-winning Toronto musician Suzie of Oh Susanna (yes, just like the ageless, timeless folk song), she is probably too busy getting ready for her Australia and England tour. Yes, the life of a musician, even one who’s married with children, will have to sometimes disappear over Christmas to attend to concert-loving fans who await overseas. But with Suzie on our podcast, talking about two movies that mean a great deal to her, it's like she hasn’t left at all. And even after you’ve listened to the interview, you might find yourself returning again and again just to hear her wonderful song performance at the end. Every now and then Louis and I are struck by the sheer talent, charm and power of our guest - Suzie is one of the stand-outs.

Maddie Dove is the youngest person to appear on This Movie’s About You. That makes her appearance somewhat of a TMAY milestone, but it’s not the sole reason to download her interview. Download and listen because Maddy is a girl who at 13 is unquestionably a rising talent on the Toronto music scene. Her vocals (which you’ll hear for yourself when she performs at the end of the interview) beautifully understate a depth of talent that artfully and soulfully reaches well beyond her age. But even before we get there, it’s Maddy’s openness and compassion that’s so striking to listen to. Her movie choices are MEAN GIRLS and CLUELESS. They’re the perfect starting point for a conversation about friendship, school-cliques, bullies and being a teenager. Enjoy.

This episode has a surprise ending. Now you have to know, by the very nature of an unscripted podcast, that what is a surprise ending for listeners is, by the very nature of an unscripted podcast, a surprise ending for me and Louis. Our guest this week is activist, Kevin Shimmin. I didn’t know Shimmin before this interview — but since the podcast is about discovering people through their choice of films (specifically a double bill) not knowing Shimmin doesn’t prove to be a problem. Shimmin is Louis’ friend which is of little surprise since Louis is a bit of an activist himself — it’s me who is the lame activist on this panel. But through his choices of films — the documentaries No More Tears Sister (2005) and Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (1993) - Shimmin opens up and shares his experiences, concerns and passions in a very thoughtful, sometimes almost spiritual, way. Shimmin is certainly a man who can open up your eyes to an important issue or a forgotten cause and leave you wanting for change. THEN there’s the surprise ending. Something I couldn’t have predicted. Of course, I’m not going to give it away, but I will say…it’s a perfect way to end an already great conversation.

This week's episode marks the first time we feature live music on TMAY, with Howard Buckstein's world premier of his song, Hackers and Hookers. But before that, we talk about post-modernism, his two picks Jacques Tati’s Playtime and Sarah Polley’s Stories We Tell and what inspires him to keep his songwriting fresh.

Cafes are great places for writers to work. And the CONTRA CAFE on Shaw Street in downtown Toronto, is one of the great cafes for writers to sit back and create. It's where I first met Malcolm Sutton while he was crossing the 't's and dotting the 'i's on his first book, Job Shadowing, currently on bookshelves and online. Always best to leave writers alone to do what they have to do, so I wait until Job Shadowing is out before asking him to join us on our podcast. He accepts the invite and the result is a solid conversation about families, fathers and protests - and River Phoenix.

Jowi Taylor has been an important contributor to Canada’s cultural landscape over the years. He was the long-time host of Global Village on CBC Radio1, awarded the Peabody Award for his work on the ground-breaking radio series The Wire, and commissioned the guitar Voyager, assembled from sixty-four pieces of First Nations and Canadian history and photographed with over fifteen thousand people. He’s also a fascinating interview as we talk about the nature of reality in relation to his two picks, Blade Runner and Bliss.

I know director, writer Adam Garnet Jones (Great Great Great & Firesong) has a great sense of humour - I’ve experienced it first hand - and when he picked the movie ‘ELF’ as one of his films in his double bill - you’d have every right to believe the conversation is going to steer towards the comical, the absurd, or at least the witty. But, no. Not this time. This time the conversation gets dark and heavy. Stuff about abandonment, uncaring caregivers, and the struggle between fathers and sons. Of course, things lightened up when we talk about his second pick, the dark murder thriller, STRANGER BY THE LAKE.

I met Sarah Kolasky in Sudbury during Cinefest where she premiered her new film, GREAT GREAT GREAT - to be released in Toronto October 6, 2017. As do most Canadian artists, Sara has an understated recognition of her talent - Her performance in GREAT GREAT GREAT is, as Now Magazines Norm Wilner coined it , a tour de force in a minor key writer. But as Louis & I quickly discover in our movie chat with Sarah, she is also a stand-up comic, a director of short films , and an artist with a solid command of film history. Her two movie choices span decades from Billy Wilder to Paul Thomas Anderson. Enjoy, and make plans to see her film.

She's quick, she's funny, she's smart and she can act with her eyes closed (or at least with the lights out). Eve Crawford is an actor and soon to be author. Her picks for a double bill include the classic, Wait Until Dark.

Johanna Schneller has created a name for herself as as an entertainment journalist writing for the Globe and Mail as well as Toronto Star. She's a television movies host, a subject (in part) of a stage play, the longtime partner of writer/journalist/broadcaster Ian Brown - and she's been a good friend for at least a decade. I trust this woman's taste in film. Here she is with Louis and I chatting A Fish Called Wanda and Tootsie.

So, I meet this kid, Daniel Warth, who wants to be a filmmaker. He’s about eight-years old. His Dad works at TVO the same time I was producing and hosting Saturday Night at the Movies. I had to admit, for an eight-year old (even if he had been forty) this kid knew his movies. Years later, I get an email from Daniel Warth asking if I wanted to take at look at his film, Dim the Fluorescents which just took Slamdance by storm. Yep…Daniel Warth is now twenty-something with a hit independent film to show for his film enthusiasm. Naturally, I begged him to come on TMAY, and he does making this episode of TMAY something very special indeed.

Steve DiMarco has a distinct counter-culture look that threatens to define him in a way that is not entirely accurate. His film choices, one being The French Connection, suggest someone far more cemented in contemporary cinema. His own work as an award winning film and television director and more recently an author suggest a creative range well beyond his tattoos and piercings. Steve's new book Bullies Inc from Smart House Books is a gripping emotional thriller that once read, sets you off on a quest to find others who've read it because an experience this bold can not be kept to yourself. Steve gives a deeply thoughtful perspective on 70s film culture and his own personal style.

Our guest this week is one helluvah story teller. We don’t even need two movies to get a conversation going with Daniel Matmor. The man’s been kicked out of Stanley Kubrick’s home - by Stanley Kubrick- made friends with Robert Altman, has written a successful B-movie screenplay based on a Stephen King short story, and even has had one of his scripts beat out an early copy of Pulp Fiction. Daniel hops on board This Movie’s About You with two great films - Barry Lyndon and Hunger.

I can listen to Cat Bernardi sing solo or with her quartet for hours on end. And so, it was somewhat challenging to limit her time just talking about her two favourite movies. But as it turns out, Cat’s take on film can be as soulful and entertaining as her take on a song from Nina Simone or Ella Fitzgerald. Here she dives into a collaboration of two virtuoso films, the rom-com hit, My Best Friend’s Wedding and the inspirational drama, Dead Poet’s Society.

Richard McCarthy, local musician and a good friend of Louis', joined us to discuss his picks Wild Strawberries and Deconstructing Harry. We explore the themes that connect Bergman and Allen and the circumstances that led to Richard to both of them.

Full-disclosure: Karen Gordon’s a friend. An even fuller disclosure: If Karen Gordon wasn’t a friend I would go out of my way to make it happen. Full of wit, charm, with her own distinctly irreverent take on all things film and arts related, Karen lends her voice and opinions each week on CBC’s MetroMorning, as well as filling in when needed on Fresh Air and As It Happens. A film critic, a writer, a one time music promoter, and without question one of my favorite people. So happy to have her join us on TMAY to share her thoughts on what makes a great double-bill. sd

Ed is a Junction local and Toronto journalism icon, writing about its politics and culture for many years. Author of the book “Some Great Idea: Good Neighbourhoods, Crazy Politics, and the Invention of Toronto”, he is currently a columnist for the Toronto Star and has just put out another book, for kids about politics called "The Art of the Possible." Thom loved his two picks, Down by Law and Miller's Crossing. I mostly sit in awe of their cinematic knowledge and critique!

If I were to cite the most significant sources of my film education, one of them would be Luis Ceriz co-owner and founder of Suspect Video the game-changing Video Store nestled in Toronto’s Mirvish Village. People didn’t just go to Suspect to rent movies, they went to chat movies with Luis (or any of his staff…all who seem to have at a masters in film ed.) or gaze at the thousands of rare films from classic to contemporary, independent to commercial, grind-house to Disney, horror to schlock, art-house to cult. Recently, with the closing of Honest Eds and the dismantling of Mirvish Village, Suspect closed up shop. It seems like a fine time to bring in on of my favourite film-geeks to the podcast. And what would a film geek choose as his double bill? Well,…let me just say that you probably won’t be too surprise. However, the pair of films are as diverse as Suspects video collection. I’ll give you a hint — one film takes place in a galaxy far, far away and the title of the second film might ‘ring a bell’. Join Luis and Louis and me for a great chat on two very different film-geek classics.

TMAY listeners already know that Louis is full of wonder, tricks and surprises, but perhaps his greatest surprise so far is how he manages to get Terry O’Reilly from CBC’s Under the Influence to take time off to do our show. (Seems as if Louis’ connections run far and deep.) O’Reilly chooses two classic comediesThe Party and The In-Laws which leaves us open to talk about three comic (and dramatic) greats Peter Sellers, Alan Arkin, and Peter Falk. But what do these films say about our guest? Listen and find out. (Then leave a comment and rating). As always…listen carefully for your chance to win great prizes.

Warning: this episodes features graphic audio of me getting jealous over the budding friendship growing between screenwriter Stéphanie Fabrizi and my cohost Louis Marrone. It's not pretty! I think I have a special connection to screenwriter Stéphanie Fabrizi We met at CinefestSudbury where she was presenting her first feature length work - Below Her Mouth. The film was already an audience hit at TIFF and other festivals. Stéphanie is a bright, funny, self-assured talent, comfortable when it comes to expressing her thoughts and ideas. Strong in her opinions and yet open to others. So, it's not surprising that I should get a bit jealous when Stéphanie meets fellow Italian countryman (and the equally charming) Louis. Stephanie shares with Louis and me her ideal double-feature and before an Italian connection takes Louis and Stéphanie off on a European tour.

There’s not a lot of things left for Heidi von Palleske to achieve. Heidi is an accomplished actor, author, poet, activist, and now the owner of her own boutique publishing house, Smart House Books. She starred in David Cronenberg’s chilling Dead Ringers, playing the sexual ‘pawn’ to Jeremy Irons’ unorthodox identical twin gynaecologists and currently can be seen as Penny Montana in the miniseries, Starhunter Transformation. Not surprisingly, Heidi challenges Louis and I with a double bill that, if it were featured in a theatre, would have you heading to the nearest bar, ordering double J&B’s straight-up. Heidi talks to us about her love of PONETTE and CELEBRATION.

I am so psyched (is being psyched still a thing) that our guest on This Movie’s About You this week chooses Curtis Hanson’s Wonder Boys as one of the films for his double bill. We’re pretty lucky to get Matthew Miller whose credits include producer, cinematographer, writer, editor, director…the list goes on. I’m familiar with Miller through his work with filmmaker, Matt Johnson and their projects Operation Avalanche and The Dirties, as well as the t.v. series, Nirvana the Band, the Show. But I feel like I know him even better after chatting with him about the academic mayhem that is Wonder Boys (Miller has a pretty extensive academic life himself) and the ironically hip culture in High Fidelity (his other film choice). And when we try to do our giveaway - Miller steps in with an giveaway offer Louis and I just couldn’t refuse!

We haven't had many corporate lawyers on the show- uhm, we never have- but Lorne Gross is one of a kind. He took a break from law school to learn Chinese and Chinese philosophy, and will soon release his book, 'The Thoughtful Warrior' applying Chinese philosophy to business strategy and negotiation. It's a great interview, but would be worth it just for Thom's reaction to Lorne's first movie pick, Enter the Dragon.

This week we have three guest on at once - Author Craig Davidson, author Nick Cutter and author Patrick Lestewka. Thing is - their all the same person. This is one of my favourite episodes. Louis is on fire with ideas and questions but our 3 in 1 authors are up for not only Louis' energy but my geeky enthusiasm. Plus we have an AMAZING giveaway.

Ron Hawkins, front man to Lowest of the Low, Rusty Nails and the Do Good Assassins joins us to talk about his double bill - Planet of the Apes and Night of the Hunter. Okay - so, we’re playing this one a bit early. Lowest of the Low is getting back together to perform at the Hillside Festival in Guelph July 14 and they’re releasing a long awaited Low album, Do The Right Now - and in terms of publicity — we should hold off on this podcast until then. But waiting is a lot to ask of any a Hawkins fan especially with two odd and edgy classic films tapping into a history of gangsters, bank robbers and a band that actually thought jogging and abstinence might be a good formula for creativity. Don’t worry, Ron. We’ll be repeating this one in time for the album, guaranteed.

Nothing like a man who loves his mother which is why we're posting Emmanuel Lopez's - or Motivatorman as he's known to some - interview on Mother's Day. This man LOVES his Mom and that's clear within just a few short moments of chatting with him. We knew talking to Emmanuel was going to be special - we just didn't realize it was going to be THIS special. Emmanuel opens up about his struggles with depression, the importance of his family and friends and two seemingly benign comedy films GROUNDHOG DAY and PLEASANTVILLE that played a part in saving his life.

Sarah Dishart is a familiar face in Toronto's Junction neighbourhood, and performs regularly around town singing lead for tribute bands such as Blondee and Pop Dead Gorgeous at clubs and bars including our very own La Rev. Sarah's pics make strong statements about the food industry and its ethics. Listen to her compelling arguments for Veganism as we discuss her two documentary pics Earthings and Food Choices.

I think Ziya Tong might be a scientist. Not sure if I confirmed that or not…but if she isn’t a scientist - then she’s the next thing to one. Ziya cohost Discovery Canada’s flagship show, Daily Planet with our friend Dan Risken (the second guest to appear on our podcast). But Ziya, as you will quickly learn when listening to this podcast, is a whole lot more than just a smart, entertaining, congenial host of a science news magazine show. Ziya has some pretty strong and clear views on environmental issues and those opinions come through in her choice of films for her double bill - and the audience loves her for it.