Back to the Balcony

A classic movie gets a surprising reaction from two people who aren't really into classic movies. Join guests Mario Bernardi and Chris Jarvie in an exploration of a movie that still influences movies and tv shows today and spawned four sequels that are still regarded as some of the best of their type ever. A lot of people have never seen any of them but after listening to this episode you may find...

Again we bend the rules for Chris Wuergler to talk about 2001's A Knight's Tale. She has a professed interest in bad boys on motorcycles, does this mean that's how she sees knights on horseback? Some interesting performances in the movie, some great observations and another rollicking podcast from Chris, Jimmy and Phil. Also the kick-off episode to season 10 of Back to the Balcony - although, Jimm...

Another podcast with just Phil and Jimmy sharing movies they think the other should watch. Phil's gung-ho on Saving Private Ryan for its gritty truth about war and the sacrifices. Jimmy's choice of Mr. Roberts hilights the reality of how war's waged and how its importance isn't always appreciated. Interesting observation about Jimmy's movies from Phil in this episode.

Jimmy says it's a movie within a movie but Chris Wuergler (aided and abetted by engineer Phil), says Cast Away is a full on love story. But no matter what the opinion everyone agrees it's another Tom Hanks landmark performance - although there are some concerns.

Manolis Zontanos extolls the virtues of Fast Times as a cautionary tale for teenagers. It's an interesting idea but is that what you thought when you saw it or did you see a cesspool of sex and bad decisions? Guess where Jimmy comes down on this argument. We're listing this as clean (no swearing) but there is some mature subject matter.

Despite the kind of crappy craftsmanship and plotting that separates the movie Charley Varrick from the films of Ed Woods by just a hair (okay, that may be hyperbole but this is a bad movie), comedian Greg Dobrowski finds it hilariously entertaining. Jimmy, not so much - and to add insult to injury, Jimmy rented it when it was available for free on YouTube. No wonder he hated this movie.

While Jimmy can't deny Alien's popularity - it made big bucks and spawned a slew of follow-ups of somethimes great, sometimes dubious quailtiy - it still strikes him as clumsy and eye-rollingly dumb. Comedian Ryan Sim begs to differ and does so with a spirited defense. Can he win Jimmy over? Listen to find out.

At long last, the episode that got away, it's David Green here again to talk about 1964's Mary Poppins. Gee, who could find something not to love about a film that's a beloved classic? Certainly not David who adores this film, that leaves just...

Chris Jarvie and his beautiful other half Christine Kinahan join Jimmy to talk about their favourite movies. Listeners will no doubt remember that Jarvie always comes on with the intention of championing one film but then changing his mind at the last minute. Will he sing the praises of the Wizard of Oz or will he agree with his wife that Meet Me In St. Louis is the more loveable movie?

Arnold? In a romance movie? Or an action movie? Or both? Or neither? Guest Chris Wuergler sees a lot in this movie. All that plus the story of how guest engineer Ryan Sim met Tom Arnold. Now that's entertainment!

The explanation for why we talked about a movie outside our normal range is explained within the podcast. It's also unusual because it's about the comedy business and we had four comedians in the room so the conversation drifted into what it's like to be a stand-up comedian, what the movie gets right and if the relationships seem genuine. Manolis Zontanos, Patrick Coppolino, Kristian Reimer and Ji...

Kristian Reimer and Chris Wuergler did such a great job last Valentine's Day talking about the most romantic movie. But there's more than one kind of romance, there's also those that turn out to be toxic and no more so than Unfaithful and Fatal Attraction. We got deep into the weeds about love, lust and romance. Thoughtful and funny too.

There are generational gaps in culture and never was it more glaring than in The Spy Who Shagged Me. Guest Mario Bernardi liked it when it came out but was appalled when he saw it again. Jimmy was no better but engineer Phil gave it a solid thumbs up. So what could be wrong with a movie that made a boatload of money? Listen to find out and see if you agree or not.

Part 2 of our episode about the great or significant movies people are in danger of forgetting about with Jimmy and guest Mario Bernardi. Give a listen to both episodes and let us know what movies you think we should have included. As you'll hear it was a lot of fun to do and uncovered a lot of surprising facts.

Okay, here's the deal, Jimmy and Mario were supposed to do an episode about ten great or significant movies people were in danger of forgetting about. Jimmy chose five and guest Mario Bernardi chose five. Good enough but nobody did the math about how long this episode would be. So this is part one featuring five of the ten. Some intriguing choices, surprising facts and a lot of fun to boot.

If there's one thing we've learned about guest Bob Kerr it's that he has a taste for the macabre. How else do you explain his love of Ernest Saves Christmas? This year we made him watch 1954's White Christmas - a movie this avowed lover of Christmas had never seen before - just to see if his head would explode. Did he find something to love? Give a listen to find out. Another fun episode.

Jimmy and Phil dare to challenge each other to watch a movie they've never seen before. Phil makes Jimmy watch The Matrix. Jim takes Phil back to WWII for Hail the Conquering Hero. Can something modern turn Jimmy's crank? And what about Phil, can he get into something - even a comedy - that came out long before he was born . You'll be surprised! An episode that wasn't really planned but just kind...

Gerry Hall takes us out to the ballgame for his take on the greatest baseball movie of all time prior to 2000, 1989's Major League. Surprisingly, he has a criteria that coulld possibly support his argument. Contains discussion of Gerry's career and the grand-daddy of all co-incidences. Lot of fun - and not just for baseball fans.

Barry Carter drops by to extolls the virtues of the quirky Grosse Point Blank from 1997. Does it sell out its premise to become just another rom-com or does it never lose its edge? There's holes and Jimmy ineveitably falls into them.

Talk about spooky! For our Halloween episode, guest Ryan Sim defends a movie that's credited with killing the Evil Dead series. What's worse, engineer Phil, loves the movie too. Stayed tuned to the very end for Ryan's challenge to Jimmy.

Not without its flawa but Jimmy actually agrees with guest Chris Jarvie that The Sandlot is not without its charm. But is it the best movie about baseball ever made? That was supposed to be Chris' position - but it's Chris Jarvie and you'll hear what that means.

Guest Chris Wuergler revels in this off-beat gothic-romance, while Phil and Jimmy confess they enjoyed it while being constantly confused by exactly when it's taking place. Big revelation of the episode: Chris used Avon Make-up. If you've seen the movie you'll know why that's significant.

Not just a classic but considered one of the seminal films of American cinema. It stands up for guest Chris Wuergler and engineer Phil as still powerful after all this time. The big question on Jimmy's mind? Did it really happen. Just one of the intriguing ways it send this talk down a very deep rabbit hole.

Most people probably don't know that The Money Pit was actually a remake of an old Cary Grant - Myrna Loy movie called Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House - a movie that's among Jimmy's favourites. Does it hold up or will guests Mario Bernardi and Chris Wuergler see something less in it.

For a twist - and to celebrate (late again) our 200th episode - Mario Bernardi and Joel Van Vliet turn the tables on Jimmy and make him the guest who has to talk about one of his favourite films: Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. Jimmy says it's a unique, cultural masterpiece. Will that be the prevailing opinion? Listen to find out if it it - and why this is such a special appearance by Joel. Mario, not so...