Philosophy In Film

Episode 31 of Philosophy In Film finds our hosts debating the underlying meaning of Darren Aronofsky's 2017 genre-busting film, "Mother!".  While multiple interpretations of the film's message are offered up, Alain makes a strong case for the "Excluded Feminine in the book of Genesis".  Chris attempts to keep the show on the rails, while Craig addresses some controversy from the previous episode a...

In their 30th episode the Philosophy In Film podcast tackles Ari Aster's 2019 Folk Horror "Midsommar".  Differing perspectives on the movie's effectiveness ultimately leads to some interesting discussion and debate on the topics of suffering, community, relationships, graduate studies, mushrooms, the field of anthropology, Ikea and what exactly constitutes being a "bro".  Chris also tells a pirate...

The Philosophy In Film podcast returns with a long-anticipated discussion of Joe Carnahan's 2012 Survival Film "The Grey".  While all three co-hosts are willing to acknowledge some issues with the film, it does set the stage for an engaging conversation about the inevitable struggle against mortality, Nietzsche, existentialism, Dermott Mulroney's ability to sneak into a movie without being noticed...

Following the lead of Marvel Studios, the Philosophy In Film podcast also follows up Infinity with an episode examining the Russo Brothers 2019 blockbuster "Avengers Endgame".  The discussion focusses primarily on the philosophy of time travel, except when it doesn't. This episode includes an installment of the Listener Mailbag as well as an impromptu ranking of some of the hosts' favorite Marvel...

The Philosophy In Film podcast finally dips its toes into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with 2018's "Avengers: Infinity War".  The discussion eventually finds its way to utilitarianism and deontology after the hosts address some listener feedback and share their recent experiences with Lambs Soapworks soaps. The conversation wraps up with theories as to how the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been...

The Philosophy In Film podcast returns with Hayao Miyazaki's 2001 Anime blockbuster "Spirited Away".  This installment of the show features a soap draft, a contract renewal for Intern Neil, the first appearance of the Listener Mailbag (sort of) and of course, a discussion of the philosophical themes examined within the movie, including the maturation and growth of the main character, consumerism,...

The Philosophy In Film crew starts its second season with David Lynch's "Lost Highway" from 1997.  After 6 weeks of Alien movies, all three hosts breathe a little easier, despite the heat wave and lack of air conditioning.  the Producers Notes segment exposes some trade secrets and proposed changes, before a discussion of Psychogenic fugue, disassociation disorder, the effect of trauma and the dif...

The conclusion of a 6 episode Alien Saga Retrospective, Season 1 of Philosophy In Film draws to a close with "Alien Covenant".  This episode sees a rare truce between Alain and Craig, while the two of them repeatedly ask Chris to defend his stance on the movie, and his rankings for each of the other installments. Intern Neil helps Nickel with a fallen tree in his yard, and chooses the beverage"Hay...

Reeling in the aftermath of "The Alien Resurrection Screwjob" the @PhilInFilm crew collect themselves and continue the Alien Saga retrospective with a look at Ridley Scott's directorial return to the franchise, "Prometheus".  Alain demands an apology, Chris skips ahead to the Covenant episode, repeatedly, and Nickel keeps trying to pitch soap. Intern Neil provides the beverage for this episode, an...

This is the episode where the Philosophy In Film finds the magic of a Mixer with inline sound effects,and Alain pulls the rug out on his co-hosts after arguing a conflicting opinion for over 2 hours. As the consensus seems to be that this is a low light for the Alien Saga, we feature Sea Change Brewery's "Low Life" Lager in this episode.

The episode where three middle aged white guys try to talk thoughtfully about the issues surrounding race and racism while discussing Jordan Peele's horror-thriller "Get Out". Feature Beer: Blue Buck by Phillips Brewing (Victoria, BC) 

The crew continues its Alien franchise retrospective by tackling David Fincher's 1992 "Alien 3."  Birth, Life, and now Death. Maybe a Resurrection later. Feature beer: African Queen Dragon (Alley Kat Brewing Company, Edmonton, AB)

Join your three @PhilInFilm co-hosts (actually two co-hosts and a producer) for the much anticipated continuation of the Alien Saga retrospective, as we examine the second installment, James Cameron's "Aliens".  Alain struggles with an off microphone request to tighten up the synopsis, Craig complains about his local grocery store, and Chris tables a 9-point argument to support the merits of the f...

Join the @PhilInFilm guys for a far more heated discussion than we planned for, during this week's episode on Ridley Scott's 1979 science fiction horror classic, Alien. Dr. Beauclair and the man behind the glass find a few reasons to get into it as Chris saves himself for the sequel. Feature Beer: Countdown Pale Ale by Beau's All Natural Brewing Company (Vankleek Hill, Ontario)

Join the @PhilInFilm fellows for a discussion of the movie Groundhog Day and its exploration of the limits of Egoism for human fulfillment.  Chris and Alain spread their philosophical wings while Nickel interjects with an exploration of the trials and tribulations of riding a bike around the city streets. In other news, Alain continues to dream about Dolly Parton. Feature Beer: 9 to 5 IPA from The...

The @PhilInFilm crew commits to a night of watching the Watchmen and then meeting in the virtual studio to examine how the film explores moral ideologies and a little bit of sexual expression. Alain and Chris are dreaming dreams, and our Producer pulls another fantastic Flintstones comparable near the end of the episode. Feature Beverage: Superb Owl from Parallel 49

For the 15th episode of @PhilInFilm the guys delve into Bruce McDonald's independent horror film "Pontypool" and discuss how the film utilizes the theme of language and the prescribed meaning of language.  Producer's Notes makes its triumphant debut, and Alain almost tells us about his erotic Tiger King dreams. Feature Beverage: Glenfiddich

For their 14th installment, the @PhilInFilm fellows discuss the Safdie brothers' Uncut Gems (a24/Netflix) and how it deals with issues of morality, humanity and alienation.  Alain defines the word "viscera" for us, and looks at the movie's similarities to classic gangster movies, Chris tries to convince us of the main characters redeeming qualities, and Nickel interrupts the conversation occasiona...

This week the @PhilInFilm fellows discuss how the Rian Johnson movie "Knives Out" illuminates the importance of family and our tendency to overlook the conditions that facilitate social inequality.  Chris reiterates his love of Contagion, Craig compares the movie to an episode of the Flintstones, and we once again experience a long and winding trip through the fascinating mind of Alain Beauclair....

In this episode the Philosophy In Film crew discusses the bizarre and macabre film, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The discussion is paired with a plum gose from Calgary's 'Cabin Brewing'.  The themes discussed include; The Obscenity of Labor, the dissolution of the traditional family, the ethics of eating meat, and humanity's animality. Feature Beverage: In The Hallway With The Axe (Cabin Brewing).

In what turns out to be the podcasts most hotly debated film choice to date, we turn our attention to a movie that everyone seems to be watching amidst the worldwide COVID 19 pandemic, Contagion.  The discussion focuses on the topical nature of the film relative to current events, and Alain's many many issues with the film. Featured Beer: La Fin du Monde from Unibroue (Chamblay, Quebec)

In this episode the Philosophy In Film team looks at capitalist ideology in the film "Robocop", while also making fun of Nickel for owning a Che Guevara t-shirt.  Alain fulfills his guarantee of getting his co-hosts to rate the movie 2.5 or higher, in the style of hockey legend, Mark Messier. Feature Beer: Retro Stylez Pre-Prohibition Cream Ale (by Analog Brewing)

In this episode we discuss "Parasite" and examine the depiction of social stratification and how the characters react to their place within it. Feature Beverage: Soju

In this episode we discuss "Joker" and the consider the extent to which the movie relies on a depiction of mental illness and an uncaring world to motivate its eponymous central character. Feature Beer: Abandoned By Wolves IPA by Driftwood Brewing  

The Philosophy in Film fellows discuss Once Upon A Time in Hollywood and examine the role Masculinity has within the film, pairing this episode with Rick Dalton's favorite beverage, the Whisky Sour, featuring unaged Whisky from Strathcona Spirits.