In The Seats with...

Sometimes it's fun to be the contrarian...Dropping on Paramount Plus we get the fresh entry the Federation of Planets in 'Star Trek: Section 31'.Emperor Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) joins a secret division of Starfleet. Tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets, she also must face the sins of her past.I can't lie, I dug this as the Star Trek universe is trying to spread it's wings a little bit.  Plus Michelle Yeoh chewing the scenery and supporting some Canadian made Star Trek in our own back yard is never a bad thing.I got the pleasure of sitting down with director Olatunde Osunsanmi who is a veteran of this franchise about dovetailing this story from 'Star Trek: Discovery' into it's own thing, Canada's connection to Star Trek and so very much more....

Hope finds a way to keep going....On this very special episode we dive into the powerful new documentary which is available on VOD platforms now; In The Shadow of Beirut.In Sabra, one of Beirut’s toughest urban slums, sectarianism and violence is a permanent way of life. Rabia, a 38-year-old hardworking but undocumented Lebanese mother, cannot afford to admit her chronically ill daughter to hospital, leaving the life of her innocent child hanging in the balance. Father of five, Ayman is preparing the way for his daughter Sanaa’s engagement to a local man as his way of protecting her in the neighborhood as he labors to provide the most basic essentials for his family to survive. Young father Aboodi is struggling to kick his drug habit, which has brought him to prison before, as he battles to find a new path in life that will make him a better parent to his toddler son. In nearby Shatila, Abu Ahmad, an 8-year-old, angelic-looking but mischievous Syrian boy who fled ISIS, labors hard to feed his family while forging an unlikely friendship with a civil war veteran and fruit stall owner. In the Shadow of Beirut weaves these four compelling storylines together in a searing portrait of a people and a city struggling to survive amidst some of the most difficult living conditions imaginable. In this failing state, it is the vulnerable who suffer the most.This is an undeniably poignant piece of cinema that allows audiences to see a glimmer of hope and humanity in a place where no one would blame us for thinking that those ideals had been abandoned long ago.We had the pleasure of talking with filmmakers Garry Keane and Stephen Gerard Kelly about the challenges of making a film like 'In The Shadow of Beirut' and so very much more.

The music NEVER stopped.On this episode we dive into one of the better pop culture documentaries that we have seen in recent memory in 'Disco's Revenge'.In the early 70s, the beat child of New York’s Black and LGBTQ+ communities was born on the city’s underground dance floor. Disco emerged as an exuberant musical genre, a vital social movement and a vibrant culture before enduring a vicious backlash nearly a decade later. In our collective pop-culture imagination, Disco's merely a fad relegated to soft-focus memories of  Saturday Night Fever and Studio 54.  It is a pulsating deep dive into the very soul of disco music and its enduring impact across genres and history, told by the people who created it, nurtured it, and in turn, discovered themselves on the dancefloor. The film asks: Why does disco matter and, in these divisive times, why does disco matter now more than ever?  Featuring interviews and performances by Nile Rodgers and Chic, Billy Porter, Nona Hendryx and LaBelle, Grandmaster Flash, Fab Five Freddy, Nicky Siano, Earl Young and The Trammps, Jellybean Benitez, Kevin Saunderson, Sylvester and Martha Wash and many others. Never has a film really got as anthropological when looking at a slice of music culture and that's what makes 'Disco's Revenge' so damn special. With sit down with writer/direcfor's Omar Majeed and Peter Mishara to get deep into the groove of it all.'Disco's Revenge' is on all VOD platforms.

Paranoia crosses all cultural lines....On this episode we dive into one of the better pieces of cinema to come out in recent memory in the Iranian gem; 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig'.Investigating judge Iman grapples with paranoia amid political unrest in Tehran. When his gun vanishes, he suspects his wife and daughters, imposing draconian measures that strain family ties as societal rules crumble.Filled with relatable family drama and political tension so palpable you could cut it with a knife and even at a herculean run time of 2hr and 46 min; 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' is hard to look away from.Shot in secret in Iran we had the pleasure of talking with writer/director Mohammed Rasoulof (with the help of a translator) about the origins of the story and so very much more,'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' is playing in Toronto now and rolling out across the country in the coming weeks.

New year brings new promises of entertainment...We kick off 2025 with a bang and a slew of new episodes and things to be talking about, especially what to start binging on these cold Canadian winter nights.'Saint-Pierre' is the story of a hard nosed Newfoundland cop (Allan Hawco) who is exiled to the French Island of 'Saint-Pierre' to team up with a headstrong deputy and solve crimes that push the boundaries of the local idyllic facade.We had the pleasure of sitting down with the stars of the show Allan Hawco and Josephine Jobert about joining the show, its appeal and the magic behind the crime procedural.'Saint-Pierre' is airing weekly on CBC and is subsequently available to stream on CBC Gem.

Those stories we wish we didn't have to be told, are usually the ones that need to be listened to...On this special episode we dive into 'Her Fight, His Name: The Story of Gwen Carr and Eric Garner' which is doing the rounds and Academy Awards eligible.  With the 10th anniversary of Eric Garner’s death and no end in sight for this epidemic of police violence it’s more important than ever to share Gwen’s story. Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner, has spent years seeking justice over the death of her son. At home, surrounded by photos of lost loved ones, she draws strength from cherished memories to keep fighting. Filmed over six years, this documentary marks the 10-year anniversary of Eric’s death.The film really does look at the idea of understanding the strength that can come out of tragedy and feels more relevant today then it ever has before.We had the pleasure of sitting down with director Brad Bailey to talk about getting the project in motion, the importance of being an 'oral historian' inside the documentary framework in a story like this and so very much more.

It's time for a perfect combination....On this episode we go head first into the making of "Creepy Bits: Season 2" which just happens to available on demand with our friends over at Hollywood Suite; who just happen to be having their Annual free preview from Dec 1 through Jan 5th so if you haven't already signed up....go for it.'Creepy Bits' is an excellent anthology series that supports burgeoning Canadian talent and is yet another example of what we are capable of as storytellers.  We had the pleasure of talking with creator David J Fernandes, and one of his directors on the series Ashlea Wessel who is beginning to carve out her own space in the genre storytelling world with a debut feature on the way.  David jumped in a little late because of his new born but we really had a great conversation with both of these unique talents. Topics ranged from funding, genre films and everything else in-between.  Enjoy our talk with David and Ashlea and check out on 'Creepy Bits: Season 2' on Hollywood suite which is running their annual free preview right now

Even in the face of the horrors of war, art and beauty must prevail...On this very special episode, we're diving into a look at some very people who are sticking to their principles of creating beauty while defending their country from invasion.  It's time for 'Porcelain War'Under roaring fighter jets and missile strikes, Ukrainian artists Slava, Anya, and Andrey choose to stay behind and fight, contending with the soldiers they have become. Defiantly finding beauty amid destruction, they show that although it’s easy to make people afraid, it’s hard to destroy their passion for living.This film is undeniable testament to the human spirit and the importance of art in the face of human tragedies like the war in Ukraine.  We had the unique pleasure of sitting down with co-director Brendan Bellomo and producer Paula DuPre Pesman about how 'Porcelain War' came to be.Porcleain War hits the TIFF Lightbox this Friday.

I won't lie....this business can kick your ass sixteen different ways....which is why it's always important to have help.On this episode I sit down with noted producer and and founder or Sugar Studios Jijo Reed to discuss the in's and out's of the film and television industry along with his legacy in it and how a place like Sugar Studios is unique in what it provides and so very much more as we go somewhat 'inside baseball' on so many of the moving pieces that come into the art of production on so many levels in Hollywood.

There's an art to doing sci-fi and action on an indie budget...On this special episode we're diving into two of our favourite things, Science Fiction and Canadian cinema with the new film 'Levels' that opens in theatres tomorrow!Levels is the story of a young man (Peter Mooney) who after witnessing his girlfriend (Cara Gee) get murdered in front of his eyes goes on a journey where he has to risk it all; including his grasp on reality in order to discover the truth.It's a great entry into a very thoughtful off shoot of the genre as we get roped into it all via some excellent execution in storytelling and some great performances.In advance of the films release we had the pleasure of sitting down with one of the stars of the film David Hewlitt about how he got the job, the joys of science-fiction and so very much more.

What was once old and reviled is now fresh and genius....it only took 25 years for it to happen....On this special episode we are looking at a critically reviled piece of cinema back in 1999 that now on rewatch was underappreciated and ahead of its time.  Ladies and Gentleman; it's time for your 'Breakfast of Champions".Based on the novel by Kurt Vonnegut, this is the story of Dwayne Hoover (Willis), the most respected business man in Midland City, who is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. When Hoover meets Kilgore Trout (Finney), a misunderstood and impoverished writer, their two worlds collide, setting forth a ripple of events that will alter both men's lives -- along with Midland City forever.Panned and reviled to the point that it almost sent writer/director Alan Rudolph out of Hollywood on a rail, Breakfast of Champions at the time was a misunderstood effort and generally labeled a disaster that the critics hate and the audiences didn't understand.By nature we critics tend to be a cranky breed but it's important to admit when we're wrong too.25 years later, we as movie going audiences have evolved quite a bit and are now able to see the unhinged hilarity in this observational underbelly of American life that has been projected through the fun house mirror.  Right now; "Breakfast of Champions" is relevant as ever because back then this story was over the top and gonzo, but now it actually feels like a slice of Americana that many desperate and misunderstood people can relate too.We had the pleasure of sitting down and talking about the roller coaster ride that has been 'Breakfast of Champions' with writer/director Alan Rudolph as he gives us insight into it all and shines a light on a Canadian film icon who helped bring this film back to life.'Breakfast of Champions' is in theatres as of Nov 1st in the US and Canada but comes to the Revue Cinema here in Toronto on Nov 5th.   Go rediscover a misunderstood gem of a film.

Beautiful things happen in this world when you get to turn your action up to 11....On this very special episode we get the pleasure to sit down with one of the modern masters of action as his new film debuted at TIFF a couple of months back and it's on Netflix right now.  It's time for 'The Shadow Strays'After nearly botching a mission, Codename 13, a prodigal assassin found herself suspended from further duties. The killer teen meets Monji, a young boy who lost his mother to a crime syndicate. When Monji disappeared, 13 turned on setting a path of destruction to find her only friend... even at the cost of defying her mentor and the organization she belongs to; The Shadows.This is a straight up master class in action cinema and we had the pleasure of sitting down with Writer/Director Timo Tjahjanto about the origins of it all, his loaded female driven ensemble cast and the freedoms of working with Netflix along with very much more....

Romance and Revenge rarely mix....On this special episode we're going into the way back machine for an interview from a couple of Fantasia Film Fests ago but is now getting it's touring theatrical and VOD run this Nov. 12th. It's time for Compulsus.Driven by rage, empathy, and something she can’t yet name, Wally (Lesley Smith) secretly patrols the streets at night, taking physical revenge on abusive hipster men on behalf of the survivors who can’t. When law-abiding Lou (Kathleen Dorian) enters her world, love and revenge clash, threatening to infiltrate their relationship.Compulsus is ultimately less about the gratuitous revenge but more about that these types of assaults are still happening to this day and is really about the horror's of what we AREN'T seeing, which makes it a much more compelling ride.We had the pleasure of talking with Writer/Director Tara Thorne and Star Lesley Smith about the origins and the experience of it all.

You know there's magic in not quite knowing....On this very special episode we go down the rabbit hole that lies somewhere between truth and fiction and could easily be adjacent to the Twilight Zone somewhere outside of Winnipeg as we dive head first into the new film 'Don't F**k With Ghosts' which is in select theatres now but coming to VOD platforms by the end of the month.Filmmaking duo, Adam and Stu (who you may remember from 2020's Faking A Murderer are convinced they need to capitalize on the next paranormal phenomenon, attempting to prove that ghosts are real.With ease and charm, Stuart Stone and Adam Rodness blur the lines between truth and fiction by gleefully throwing it all in the blender and seeing what comes out.  Don't F**k With Ghosts is that and then some as it has charm for days and gets you invested not only in the quest to prove that ghosts are real but also in the insane journey that is independent filmmaking.I had the pleasure of talking with Stuart and Adam about the origins of it all and so very much more....

It's always a good time to let your freak flag fly...On this episode we embrace the world of the one and only Steven Kostanski head on as we look at his new film 'Frankie Freako" which is hitting theatres tomorrow.Workaholic yuppie Conor is in an existential rut until one night he catches a bizarre ad for a party hotline hosted by a strange dancing goblin: Frankie Freako. Could this be just the recipe to spice up his boring life?We talked with Steven about the evolution of the project, how he's evolved as a storyteller, the influence of the 1980's video store wave had on him and ultimately what made him want to tell this incredibly silly but ultimately entertaining story.'Frankie Freako' opens in select theatres tomorrow

Some intellectual properties transcend platforms, formats and anything else we can think of....On this episode we dive into the deep end over at Prime Video with the second season of 'Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' coming to a close to be able to get some insight into the epic look and feel of the show which has been delighting audiences all across the globe.I had the unique opportunity to sit down with director Charlotte Brandstrom & cinematographer Alex Disenhof who worked on the last 2 episodes of Season 1, but also the first AND the last two episodes of Season 2 so their style is unquestionably all over this run.We talked about the uniqueness of being paired together like they have been, particularly during a TV run but also working with the showrunners and the entire team about crafting this vision of middle earth.'Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' is streaming on Prime Video now.

Community is where you make it....On this episode we dive into those little communities that become special in ways we can never expect.Coming to VOD platforms this Sept 10th; 'Happy Campers' is a film that chronicles the final days of a working-class summer colony in a scrappy trailer park that just happens to hold the secret to a rich life. In a waterfront campground off the coast of Virginia, residents spend their summers living spitting distance apart in rust-bitten RVs. They chuckle about the modest rent they pay for a million-dollar location, but what makes them the luckiest people in the world is more than just stunning sunsets, it’s the community they’ve created. Beneath cliched trailer park stereotypes lies an unlikely utopia where all are welcome. Neighbors help each other out, and share everything from power tools to simple pleasures. Loneliness and isolation are inconceivable.  When their affordable paradise is sold to developers, the residents brace for eviction and the loss of friendships that span generations. They hold tight to their final days in the sun. The well-heeled crowd that takes their place will never be as wealthy. It's a simple and really charming story that truly highlights the difference between being rich and being wealthy as writer/director Amy Nicholson gives us an unfiltered slice of gorgeous Americana.We had the pleasure of talking with Amy about the origins of the film and so very much more....

There's a genuine art to be able to make something....out of something else.On this episode we dive into something that just might be the biggest creative challenge for editors out there in the world.  Crafting a film from a myriad of archival footage.It's no wonder Alan Lowe has been nominated for an Emmy for his work on 'Steve! (Martin): A Documentary In Two Pieces which is available on Apple TV+ now.We got to talk to Alan about how he got the job, making a film out of the archive's of an pop culture icon's life and so very much more....

In many ways movement isn't just about how people moved, but the why behind it all....On this very special episode we are deeping diving behind the scenes with those artisans who work behind the scenes on some of our favourite movies and TV shows.Today we talk with Emmy nominated Choreographer Jennifer Hamilton about her work on the hit show 'Physical; which drops us into the aerobics boom of the 1980'sWhen dealing with such a unique moment in time, being specific is an unequivocal gift and that was key in the work from choreographer Jennifer Hamilton who really needed to match the tone of the 80's which had some over the top camp but some quiet terror all at the same.We talked with Jennifer about how she got the job, the magic of movement and so very much more....

It's all about finding the right rhythms and right energy....On this special episode we're back in the world of Apple TV+ as we gear up for the Emmy's looking at the work it takes behind the scenes on many of these often nominated shows but often forgotten nominees behind them all.We're back into the world of 'Slow Horses' as we talk with editor Zsófia Tálas about coming into an established show like this, finding the rhythm of it all and the creative payoffs inside it all.Check out 'Slow Horses' on Apple TV+ streaming now.