Best Spencer Dirks Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 60 - When Harry Met Sally... w/ Caitlin Hart 1:06:41

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2y ago1:06:41

1:06:41

This week on the show, journalist, comedian and rom-com renter Caitlin Hart is back for a discussion of Rob Reiner's 1989 hit When Harry Met Sally...! Highlights of the conversation: Transcendental style in romantic comedies Generation X at the movies Idealized adulthood through the eyes of a child When Harry Met Sally... stars Meg Ryan, Billy Crys…

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Episode 59 - Idiocracy w/ Spencer Dirks 57:19

2y ago57:19

57:19

This week on the show, the promised discussion with fan favourite Spencer Dirks of Mike Judge's 2006 dystopian-comedy Idiocracy! Points of conversation: The prophetic predictions of Mike Judge "Work truck cinema" Thoughts on the economy Idiocracy stars Luke Wilson, Dax Shepard, Maya Rudolph, Terry Crews and Justin Long. You can find this podcast on…

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Episode 58 - Annie Hall Audio Commentary 1:34:30

2y ago1:34:30

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This week, in lieu of a guest conversation, join Zach for a feature-length audio commentary for Woody Allen's 1977 Best Picture-winner, Annie Hall! Listen along as you watch the film for insights, observations, film theory and more. Notes from the commentary The legacy limbo Allen's career sits in How to edit a comedy The key to romantic chemistry …

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Episode 57.5 - No New Show Today 1:08

2y ago1:08

1:08

Greetings loyal FTFYS subscriber! Thank you for your continued support of the program. This week, we are regrettably unable to make our previously set episode deadline. I assure you that consistency is of paramount importance to us here at Formatted To Fit, which is why we are clogging your RSS with this non-episode as a reminder of our continued e…

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Episode 57 - Insomnia w/ Noah Dimitrie 1:22:17

2y ago1:22:17

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This week on the show, to commemorate the upcoming release of Oppenheimer, musician and writer Noah Dimitrie is back to discuss Christopher Nolan's 2002 sleeper hit Insomnia! Points touched on: Nolan handling fiction versus history The cast of Corner Gas on the big screen Traits of 2000s filmmaking Insomnia stars Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary S…

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Episode 56 - The Conversation w/ Nik Oldershaw 1:17:52

2y ago1:17:52

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Summer blockbuster season continues here on Formatted To Fit with comedian Nik Oldershaw and a discussion of Francis Ford Coppola's 1974 Palme d'Or winner The Conversation! Points of interest: The intersection between surveillance and podcasting Our true feelings about Blow Up The unrealized Dan Deacon/Twixt roadshow The Conversation stars Gene Hac…

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Episode 55 - Clue w/ Lenore Claire Herrem 36:59

2+ y ago36:59

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This week on the show, interdisciplinary artist Lenore Claire Herrem stops by the manor for a chat about Jonathan Lynn's 1985 board game adaptation Clue! Talking points: Weird theatre kid childhoods Movies versus live theatre The canonical personas of the Clue crew You can follow Lenore's work on Instagram @precious_._puppies You can find this podc…

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Episode 54 - Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over w/ Dylan Evans 47:13

2+ y ago47:13

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This week on the show, filmmaker and musician Dylan Evans stops by to discuss filmmaker and musician Robert Rodriguez's 2003 hit Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over! Notes from the conversation: The influence of Rodriguez's cost-cutting digital filmmaking in Hollywood Apathetic pre-teen actors Working with family Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over stars Daryl Sabara, Ale…

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Episode 53 - Light Sleeper w/ Mitch Oliver 1:13:25

2+ y ago1:13:25

1:13:25

This week on the show, writer/director/podcaster Mitch Oliver is back for a dark night of the soul with Paul Schrader's 1992 drama Light Sleeper! Notes from the discussion: Artists who work in a niche Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist revisionism Screenwriting masterclasses and seminars Light Sleeper stars Willem Dafoe, Susan Sarandon, Dana Delany,…

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Episode 52 - Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones w/ Davis Baker 1:08:42

2+ y ago1:08:42

1:08:42

This week on the show, returning guest Davis Baker of the Saskatoon band Sunpeaks stops by to discuss 2002's Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones! Topics of discussion: Seeing The Force Awakens together on a Thursday Growing up during the prequel era Our opinions on Star Wars as adults Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones stars Ewan…

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Episode 51 - Army of Darkness w/ Skot Hamilton 2/2 51:23

2+ y ago51:23

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This week on the show, musician and film programmer Skot Hamilton is back to wrap up an in-depth(?) tangent-filled discussion of Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness! Points of interest: Real actors versus real people who became actors What is horror-comedy? Kevin Smith's Cop Out Army of Darkness stars Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Ivan Raimi, Ted Raimi …

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Episode 50 - Army of Darkness w/ Skot Hamilton 1/2 1:06:24

2+ y ago1:06:24

1:06:24

This week on the show, we celebrate Easter with a different kind of Evil Dead as returning guest Skot Hamilton discusses his love of Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness! Notes from the conversation: Raimi auteurism Tim Burton auteurism Movies that changed your DNA Army of Darkness stars Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Ivan Raimi, Ted Raimi and Ian Abercro…

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Episode 49 - Sorcerer w/ Paul Dufresne-Laroche 1:34:20

2+ y ago1:34:20

1:34:20

This week on the show, Friedkin-enthusiast Paul Dufresne-Laroche joins the show for a discussion of 1977's flop-turned-bop Sorcerer! Points on the agenda: Questionable directing methods of William Friedkin The long and widespread influence of Sorcerer in film history Second-choice casting decisions elevating a story Sorcerer stars Roy Scheider, Bru…

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Episode 48 - Forrest Gump w/ Caitlin Hart 1:08:02

2+ y ago1:08:02

1:08:02

This week on the show, it's all about the Oscars as Caitlin Hart joins for a discussion of the 1994 Best Picture winner, Robert Zemeckis' Forrest Gump! Notes from the conversation: The lazy soundtrack work Bus stop etiquette Favourite Best Pictures winners of history Forrest Gump stars Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Sally Field, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Will…

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Episode 47 - The Master of Disguise w/ Travis Hebert 1:05:55

2+ y ago1:05:55

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This week on the show, Travis Hebert is back to discuss the 2002 Dana Carvey/Happy Madison joint-venture The Master of Disguise! Talking points: The bitter Carvey v. Myers feud Third-party narration as scotch tape for shitty filmmaking Overused soundtrack songs The Master of Disguise was directed by Perry Andelin Blake and stars Dana Carvey, James …

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Episode 46 - Blow Out w/ Matt Farley 55:27

2+ y ago55:27

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This week on the show, filmmaker and musician Matt Farley of Motern Media stops by to chat about Brian De Palma's 1981 love letter to voyeurism and obsession, Blow Out! On the agenda: John Travolta's balletic grace on screen Mistakenly identifying S. Craig Zahler as the director of Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile The dangers of long-distance walking Blow Out…

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Episode 45 - M3GAN + Child's Play w/ Gabrielle Drolet 1:08:47

2+ y ago1:08:47

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This week on the show, journalist and New Yorker cartoonist Gabrielle Drolet returns to discuss not one but two tales of toy terror — 1988's Child's Play and 2023's M3GAN! Minutes from the conversation: Chucky is just a dude The advances in film effects and technology Bad movie policing Child's Play stars Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon and Brad Do…

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Episode 44 - Borat w/ Eli Tennent 1:02:05

2+ y ago1:02:05

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This week on the show, we ring in 2023 the way we parted with 2022 — with an immediate family member! Eli Tennent joins the show for a discussion of director Larry Charles' 2006 smash hit Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan! Talking points The IMDb Parents Guide Family movie-going misadventures as kid…

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Episode 43 - Goodfellas w/ Dave Tennent 51:08

2+ y ago51:08

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This week on the show, Dave Tennent stops by for a discussion of the 1990 Martin Scorsese gangster classic Goodfellas! Topics of discussion: The period accuracy and how it holds up over time The lessons to be learned from Henry Hill Saskatoon filmgoing history and memories Goodfellas stars Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco and …

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Episode 42 - Titanic (Tape 2) w/ Erica Wilson + Lenore Maier 55:31

3y ago55:31

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This week on the show, Titanic enthusiasts Lenore Maier and Erica Wilson are back for part two of our 110th anniversary sinktacular discussing James Cameron's 1997 mega-hit Titanic! Topics of discussion: How we age along with this film References and homages to other blockbuster films The forthcoming Avatar: The Way of Water Titanic stars Leonardo …

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Episode 41 - Titanic (Tape 1) w/ Lenore Maier + Erica Wilson 1:04:34

3y ago1:04:34

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This week on the show, Titanic enthusiasts Erica Wilson and Lenore Maier join the program for part one of a two part discussion on James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster Titanic! Points of interest: Scope versus intimacy and the dynamic at play Cameron's obsession with detail "Secret watchers" Titanic stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Ka…

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Episode 40 - The Cable Guy w/ Justin Decloux 1:01:35

3y ago1:01:35

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This week on the program, filmmaker and podcaster Justin Decloux joins the show to discuss the 1996 Ben Stiller-helmed Jim Carrey studio comedy classic The Cable Guy! Talking points: Non-canonical Super Bowl commercial sequels to classic films Ben Stiller auteurism The diminishing returns of Jim Carrey's undeniable talent The Cable Guy stars Jim Ca…

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Episode 39 - UHF w/ Spencer Dirks 1:09:32

3y ago1:09:32

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This week on the program, in honour of the release of Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, Spencer Dirks is back on the program to discuss the Jay Levey-directed 1989 Yankovic cult classic UHF! Talking points: Yankovic the thespian The long and vast influence and legacy of UHF Early encounters as children UHF stars Al Yankovic, Michael Richards, Kevin McC…

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Episode 38 - Jaws w/ Mitch Oliver 1:20:33

3y ago1:20:33

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Rounding out the second half of our 2nd annual Halloween Shocktacular, director Mitch Oliver joins the program to discuss Steven Spielberg's 1975 literary adaptation classic Jaws! Topics touched include: The second lives of shitty sequels Spielberg's mastery of creating terror Our Halloween 2022 viewing habits and recommendations You can follow Mit…

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Episode 37 - Vampire in Brooklyn w/ Ethan Vestby 56:05

3y ago56:05

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This week on the show, our 2022 Halloween Shocktacular kicks off with Toronto based critic and film programmer Ethan Vestby stopping by to discuss the Wes Craven 1995 horror-comedy favourite, Vampire in Brooklyn! Notes from the conversation: The right and wrong sides of Eddie Murphy as a performer The horror-comedy subgenre Intergenerational SNL fe…

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Episode 36 - Novocaine w/ Douglas Evans 1:11:49

3y ago1:11:49

1:11:49

This week on the show, we give a new meaning to the phrase "going dental" with David Atkins' sole directorial feature to date, 2001's Novocaine! Talking points: Stereotypes in cinematic portrayals of dentists The serious side of Steve Martin Loss of teeth as a dramatic metaphor Novocaine stars Steve Martin, Helena Bonham Carter, Laura Dern, Elias K…

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Episode 35 - Weird Science w/ Noah Dimitrie 1:19:29

3y ago1:19:29

1:19:29

This week on the show, Saskatoon based comedian and musician Noah Dimitrie is by to discuss John Hughes' 1985 sci-fi rom-com Weird Science! Points of interest: The lost art of titular film themes The undeniable hotness of Brat Pack The legacy of the late John Hughes Weird Science stars Anthony Michael Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Kelly LeBrock, Rober…

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Episode 34 - Nope w/ Devin McAdam + Emily Kohlert 1:11:40

3y ago1:11:40

1:11:40

This week on the show, we close out summer blockbuster season by catching up to modern times with guests Emily Kohlert and Devin McAdam discussing Jordan Peele's 2022 feature Nope! Things touched upon: The declining consumer quality of the theatrical experience Jordan Peele's genre influences What gives a hit movie staying power Nope stars Daniel K…

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Episode 33 - The Hangover w/ Kyle Zurevinski 1:23:35

3y ago1:23:35

1:23:35

This week, fan favourite Kyle Zurevinski of the band Riversleem is back on the show to discuss Todd Philips' 2009 stag comedy blockbuster The Hangover! Conversation topics include: Zach Galifianakis' shadow role as a Canadian municipal election fixer First films in storied local theatres Lots of talk about Joker The Hangover stars Bradley Cooper, Z…

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Episode 32 - Election w/ Jason Herring 1:12:55

3y ago1:12:55

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This week on the show, Calgary-based reporter Jason Herring is by to discuss Alexander Payne's evergreen 1999 high school comedy/political satire Election! Notable discussions: The pinpoint accuracy of the film's setting and environment Recasting this movie with Brendan Fraser, and not in the role that makes sense The real life parallels to people …

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Episode 31 - Can't Hardly Wait w/ Brendan Flaherty 1:03:27

3y ago1:03:27

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This week on the show, Toronto-based comedian and podcaster Brendan Flaherty is by to discuss the 1998 teen party comedy Can't Hardly Wait! Items on the agenda: Seth Green's commitment to the bit Smash Mouth then and now The high school party subgenre Can't Hardly Wait stars Jennifer Love Hewitt, Charlie Korsmo, Lauren Ambrose, Ethan Embry and Seth…

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Episode 30 - The Heartbreak Kid (1972) w/ Caitlin Hart 1:04:50

3y ago1:04:50

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This week on the show, writer and podcaster Caitlin Hart returns to discuss Elaine May's 1972 rom-com pseudo-psalm, The Heartbreak Kid! Topics discussed: The film's distinctive legacy in comedy "They don't make 'em like they used to" mindset A lot of Woody Allen tangents The Heartbreak Kid stars Charles Grodin, Jeannie Berlin and Cybill Shepherd. Y…

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Episode 29 - There's Something About Mary w/ Huw Evans 44:17

3+ y ago44:17

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This week, cartoonist and filmmaker Huw Evans, director of Instruments of Evil, stops by for an abridged discussion of both his career and Peter and Bobby Farrelly's There's Something About Mary! Topics of discussion include: American Neorealism in the Farrellys' grossout humour The influence of Mad Magazine Underground music legend Jonathan Richma…

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Episode 28 - Videodrome w/ Skot Hamilton 1:34:33

3+ y ago1:34:33

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This week on the program, musician and film programmer Skot Hamilton is back to fulfill CanCon requirements with David Cronenberg's Videodrome! Points of conversation: The current state of theatrical film distribution James Woods' smarmy realism Pop Cultured With Elvira Kurt Videodrome stars James Woods, Deborah Harry, Sonja Smits, Peter Dvorsky, a…

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Episode 27 - Stealing Harvard w/ Spencer Dirks 1:03:41

3+ y ago1:03:41

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This week, FTFYS season two kicks off with a bang with guest Spencer Dirks and the 2002 caper comedy Stealing Harvard! Points of interest: Movies that feel like television The quality and consistency of Tom Green's bloopers The final days of Prince You can find Spencer's podcast Do Ghosts Be Real on Spotify, YouTube, or at https://linktr.ee/Do.Ghos…

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Episode 26 - Jurassic Park w/ Mina Darling 1:25:42

3+ y ago1:25:42

1:25:42

This week, to celebrate a full year of FTFYS, Mina Darling of The Simpsons: Not a Simpsons Podcast stops by to discuss Steven Spielberg's 1993 literary adaptation Jurassic Park! Topics of discussion: The low stakes lies of elementary school teachers Alberta's alleged love affair with dinosaurs Working at a theme park Jurrassic Park stars Sam Neill,…

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Episode 25 - Scream w/ Gabrielle Drolet 52:55

3+ y ago52:55

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This week on the show, journalist and cartoonist Gabrielle Drolet is on to talk Wes Craven's original 1996 frightfest, Scream! Topics of discussion include: The true identity of the Ghostface voice The cultural relevance of Scream vs. Scary Movie A lot of talk about Batman You can follow Gabrielle on Twitter @gabrielledrolet or on Instagram @gabrie…

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Episode 24 - Raising Arizona w/ Joe McAdam 1:08:22

3+ y ago1:08:22

1:08:22

This week on the show, Joe McAdam of the comedy duo Butt stops by to discuss the Coen Bros.' 1987 sophomore comedy caper Raising Arizona! Topics discussed include: The unwieldy Mr. Nicolas Cage Highbrow/lowbrow comedy hybrids The Americana of the Coen filmography You can follow Joe on Twitter @joemcadam and follow his work with Butt @buttguys or vi…

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Episode 23 - Stalker w/ Gavin Baird 52:28

3+ y ago52:28

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This week on the show, independent filmmaker Gavin Baird is on the mic to talk about Andrei Tarkovsky's Criterion-minted 1979 Soviet sci-fi epic Stalker! Minutes from the meeting: The economy of slow cinema The communicative power of movies a Kangaroo Jack Box Office Mojo segment held over from the last episode You can find out more about Gavin and…

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Episode 22 - Kangaroo Jack w/ Travis Hebert 1:08:12

3+ y ago1:08:12

1:08:12

This week, Travis Hebert of Folk ABBA drops by to discuss David McNally's Aussie classic Kangaroo Jack! Subjects broached: The abysmal year of 2003 in kid's films The clearly illegal production of this movie White boy hip-hop fandom Kangaroo Jack stars Jerry O'Connell, Anthony Anderson, Estella Warren, Michael Shannon and Christopher Walken. You ca…

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Episode 21 - Something's Gotta Give w/ Caitlin Hart 56:16

3+ y ago56:16

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Valentine's Day comes late this year as writer and podcaster Caitlin Hart stops by to discuss writer/director Nancy Meyers' heartmelting 2003 romcom opus Something's Gotta Give! Items on the agenda: Aging in Hollywood and on the big screen All manner of things to do with Diane Keaton The speculative politics of this cast of characters Something's G…

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Episode 20 - Rock Goes to the Movies w/ Alan Cross 1:01:40

3+ y ago1:01:40

1:01:40

This week on the show, Alan Cross of The Ongoing History of New Music stops by to discuss all things related to rock music and the movies! Items on the agenda: The proper utilization of musicians as actors Self-aggrandizing rock biopics The world of film soundtracks Alan can be kept up with at ajournalofmusicalthings.com and The Ongoing History of …

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Episode 19 - She's the Man w/ Hannah Cooley 50:26

3+ y ago50:26

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This week, we are joined virtually in studio by Hannah Cooley to discuss director Andy Fickman's 2006 Shakespearean adaptation, She's the Man! Topics of interest include: The paint by numbers screenplays of many cross-dressing comedies The opaque manner in which the Kids' Choice Awards operates Favourite stock music cues She's the Man stars Amanda …

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Episode 18 - Dirty Work w/ Vish Khanna 1:08:20

3+ y ago1:08:20

1:08:20

In our 2022 debut, FTFYS is pleased to welcome veteran podcaster Vish Khanna of Kreative Kontrol to discuss Norm Macdonald and the 1998 revenge comedy Dirty Work! Points of interest along the way: Post-SNL comic limbo The capitalist mechanics of many 90s studio comedies IRL close encounters with Norm himself Dirty Work was directed by Bob Saget and…

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Episode 17 - Best of the 2010s w/ Kyle Zurevinski 1:51:31

3+ y ago1:51:31

1:51:31

As we ring in the new year on FTFYS, we're joined by returning guest Kyle Zurevinski of the band Riversleem and podcast The Terror Table to discuss the highs and lows of film in the 2010s! Movies mentioned include: Pete's Dragon The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Grown Ups 2 You can find Kyle's band @Riversleem on Spotify, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube …

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Episode 16 - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation w/ The Garrys 1:00:22

4y ago1:00:22

1:00:22

For our Christmas spectacular, FTFYS is pleased to welcome Erica Maier, Lenore Maier and Julie Maier from the rock band The Garrys to discuss director Jeremiah S. Chechik’s 1989 holiday classic, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation! Agenda: Remembering A Garfield Christmas Explorations of the phase 2 John Hughes cinematic universe Favourite film s…

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Episode 15 - The Rocky Horror Picture Show w/ Ellen Froese 39:46

4y ago39:46

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On episode 15, singer-songwriter Ellen Froese comes by to discuss her favourite film, Jim Sharman's 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show! Points of order include: Tim Curry's upcoming roster of projects Sneaking into movies underage Regrettable vehicular paint jobs The Rocky Horror Picture Show stars Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Tim C…

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Episode 14 - Josie and the Pussycats w/ Jenn Freeze 58:33

4y ago58:33

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For episode 14, CFCR 90.5's Jenn Freeze stops by to talk about the cultural influence of Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan's big screen swan song, Josie and the Pussycats! Detours along the way: A thorough investigation of Carson Daly's love life circa Y2K Shouting out some of the most underrated power pop bands of the 90s and today Digging up the me…

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Episode 13 - Hereditary w/ Spencer Dirks 1:06:16

4y ago1:06:16

1:06:16

For episode 13, podcaster and paranormalist Spencer Dirks of Do Ghosts Be Real becomes FTFYS's first returning guest as we discuss Ari Aster's 2018 feature filmmaking debut, Hereditary! Talking points: A exploration of what defines dorm-room mentality Matt Damon's post #MeToo career freefall Fear in fiction versus fear in real life Hereditary stars…

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Episode 12 - Anything Else w/ Will Sloan 1:10:48

4y ago1:10:48

1:10:48

For episode 12, Toronto-based podcaster Will Sloan joins the program to malign writer/director Woody Allen's 2003 late style belly flop, Anything Else! Points of interest along the way: The ugly subtext beneath Allen's work and its implications on his even uglier personal life The diminishing returns of Allen's rote existentialism The inevitability…