For Screen and Country

This week, the two Canucks watch a British revenge thriller called Dead Man's Shoes - a movie which they have literally zero knowledge of going into it. They talk about how the movie plays on revenge and slasher tropes, they discuss the final twist, they wonder if Richard and Anthony were ever actually close or if the mission is out of obligation more than love and much more.   Next week: back to...

This week, the duo watch a movie directed by David Bowie's son and starring Sam Rockwell - MOOOOOOOOOON! They talk about how the film subverts genre expectations with the artificial intelligence character, Rockwell playing two very different roles that can only be told apart by his acting, the way in which the low budget is utilized and much more. Plus: Jason wonders how Sam resisted himself.   Ne...

This week, the guys talk about Danny Boyle again with his zombie classic 28 Days Later. How much of an influence did this have on the new wave of zombie movies in the 21st century? Does the film accurately portray virus outbreaks and how they start or does it fall short scientifically? Which of the MANY endings are the best? All that and more in this week's episode!   Next week: we go to outer spa...

Richard Burton lights up the screen this week as an angry "young" man in Tony Richardson's kitchen sink drama Look Back in Anger! The guys talk all about Burton's magnetic performance despite being severely miscast, the film's commentary on the era of the Raj in India, the very rehearsed Vaudeville bits, the taboo subject matter and much more.   Next week: the podcast gets spooky and an old friend...

More family entertainment this week as the guys talk all about Aardman Animations and one of their most beloved films - Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. They talk all about the perils of filming claymation, the tawdry humour that this film gets away with at times, Gromit as one of the best silent characters in cinema history - plus: Jason goes deep into the pure evil of Wallace's in...

This week, the guys talk about the lovely family film adaptation of Paddington. Having covered the second one already, they focus in on what sets this film apart from other similar adaptations of children's books, they praise Nicole Kidman's wonderful villainous performance, they ponder Mr. Curry and his coded racism, Jason wonders if the film is contemporary and much more.   Next week: another fa...

This week, the guys tackle a HUGE movie with the third entry in the beloved wizarding franchise - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. After discussing the complicated legacy of J.K. Rowling, the guys then dive into this being the first truly dark film in the series, debate if the movie stands on its own without having watched any previous entries, the central focus on Hermione and her evolvi...

Back to the Empire list with Guy Ritchie's feature film debut - Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. After the show transitions into a grammar podcast for a few minutes, Brendan and Jason talk about the Tarantino comparisons to Ritchie, they marvel at the great performances by all the non-actors, Jason displays his knowledge of cockney rhyming slang, they learn about the Lock, Stock TV show and mu...

Canuck Puck! One more diversion from the list for now as Jason brings forth a Canadian film all about the inevitable end of the world called Last Night written, directed by and starring Don McKellar. The guys talk all about their end-of-the-world plans, whether David Cronenberg plays the most sane or INSANE character in the film, Purge-style gangs, the connection to Y2K paranoia at the time and mu...

Full disclosure: there were some audio issues throughout this episode so please forgive the occasional crackling sound as Sharon's home state was literally being attacked by tornadoes. It's time for a break so allow the fellas this rest from the list as they talk about the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice as directed by... you guessed it, Joe Wright. In the biggest coincidence ever, the guys...

This week, the guys delve into the Joe Wright period piece revolving around a very weighty accusation and the fallout which occurs as a result. That's right - they're talking about Atonement starring the great Keira Knightley. They talk about unconscious bias, the fake-out happy ending that turns into a surprising twist, the impressive long takes during the Dunkirk scenes and much more. Plus: we g...

This week on the Empire list, the guys talk about the highly successful award-winning Slumdog Millionaire. Brendan takes shots at the internal logic and narrative device used throughout, they discuss Dev Patel's groundbreaking performance, they praise Danny Boyle's next-level research before making the film, they debate the character redemption of Salim and much more.   Next week: accusations can...

Apparently, the trend of biopics continues this week with the 2007 film Control, which focuses on the (short) life of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis. The guys talk about the haunting origins of the band's name, Toby Kebbell's standout performance as the well-rounded (and often hilarious) band manager, the lack of blame for either of Curtis' romantic partners and much more. Plus: Jason pitches Co...

This week, that's enough for the laughter. Back to sadness! The guys check out podcast favourite Mike Leigh and his biopic account of a famous painter with the film Mr. Turner. They talk about Leigh's unique writing style bringing interesting touches to a story based in fact, the Timothy Spall Acting School of Grunts and Groans, criticism of the interpretation of art, the introduction of the camer...

This week, Brendan is moving into a new home so enjoy this little off-brand mini-episode in which Jason talks about his favourite thing in the whole world: Star Trek. From Gene Roddenberry's liberal vision even as early as the show's roots to the rejected pilot episode to the language of Klingon to Jason mocking politicians for referring to the show as "suddenly" woke to much more, enjoy this litt...

The humour train continues as the guys talk about the ICONIC comedy Borat. Can they pinpoint all the points in history when people embraced the film, rejected it and then embraced it again after enough time had passed? What exactly IS a humour coach? Isn't it quaint how these shocking reactions from people are viewed in the world of 2006? Are the nice people actually nice or just very convinced th...

This week, the guys go the dark recesses of what you can get away with in comedy with a discussion of Chris Morris' satirical Four Lions. How carefully does this movie skirt the line between bad taste and good fun all the while avoiding harmful stereotypes? Does the movie actually address more than one sect of Muslims? What famous conspiracy theorist does Barry remind the guys of...? Does this mov...

It's time to talk about an ICONIC British film in the pantheon - Edgar Wright's Shaun of the Dead. The guys discuss the perfectly symmetrical script in which almost every moment no matter how big or small pays off in a big way later in the film, Bill Nighy's scene-stealing performance, the moments of dramatic tension that work amidst all the goofy comedy and much more. Plus: Brendan reminisces abo...

This week, the guys talk about the first documentary on this British films list - the 2008 account of Philippe Petit's daring tightrope walk in Man on Wire. Why DID he perform the Walk and why does Philippe consider that such a boring question? Is Annie the true tragic character? Does the documentary borrow its tropes from heist films? Was Brendan really THAT stupid when he was younger? Plus: a VE...

Continuing on with this list of British flicks, the guys dive into the romance/thriller/horror/drama/not-easily-genre-defined Gareth Edwards movie - Monsters. They discuss how this film clearly nabbed the Godzilla gig for Edwards, they discuss all of the improvised dialogue by the supporting characters, the commentary about racism and immigration is delved into and more. Plus: how British... is th...

Back to the Brits! This week, Brendan and Jason start their trek through the Empire Top 100 British Movies of All-Time that haven't been covered on the show already. Look, this is as close as we are going to get to an updated BFI Top 100, okay? To start off, they discuss the Tomas Alfredson-directed espionage thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy starring Gary Oldman. Jason makes his case for this as...

One more Canuck Puck for the road! This week, Jason picks the Sarah Polley-directed (yes, it's her third appearance in a short period of time, fight us!) weeper starring Julie Christie and Gordon Pinsent - Away From Her. The guys debate the sincerity of one of the nursing home staff members, they make comparisons to The Sweet Hereafter, they talk about the poetic dialogue and much more. Plus: to w...

Before they move back to the realm of British, Brendan and Jason decide to talk about a "Canuck Puck," a Canadian film pick from each of them that they have never seen before... and it's Brendan's turn first - Porky's. Yes, it's the Floridian Canadian classic from director Bob Clark that answers the question "can something that ages this horribly still be funny?" with... well, you'll have to liste...

Here it is - according to TIFF, the #1 Canadian movie of all-time - Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner. The guys break it down and discuss lots o' stuff including the fact that this is a landmark movie made entirely by an all-Inuit cast and crew. They also talk about the dangers of filming the naked run scene, the plot connections to Shakespeare, the heightened emotional moments, lack of dumbing down to...

Getting close to the top of the list, the guys go deep into a discussion of the #2 film on the list - Mon Oncle Antoine - directed by the #1 most controversial filmmaker on the list, Claude Jutra. Aside from the film itself, the life of Mr. Jutra is briefly discussed, particularly his later years and tarnished legacy but they also discuss the asbestos mines of Quebec, how the film deals with its y...