Matinee Heroes

REMAINS OF THE DAY During the 1930s, James Stevens serves as a proper English butler to the doltish Lord Darlington. Stevens is so dedicated that he forgoes visiting his father on his deathbed in order to serve while overlooking Darlington's Nazi sympathies and growing anti-Semitism. Twenty years after his employer's death, Stevens tries to reconnect with Miss Kenton Darlington's head housekeeper, and begins to regret his loyalty to his former master. Craig, Alan and guest Kristen Lopez (@Journeys_Film on twitter) talk about the sacrifice of service, literary adaptations, “But Have You Read The Book” out March 7th and the movie Remains of the Day on this week’s Matinee Heroes! Show Notes 1:00 Craig and Alan welcome Kristen Lopez to celebrate her new book "But Have You Read the Book" available March 7th. 19:08 Craig, Alan and Kristen discuss "Remains of the Day" 42:34 Recasting 1:07:05  Double Feature 1:13:35 Final Thoughts 1:03:20 A preview of next week's episode "PIG" Next week, we

THE LAST SAMURAI An American military officer is hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in an attempt to eradicate the ancient Samurai warrior class in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly policies.  The officer finds himself unexpectedly affected by his encounters with the Samurai, which places him at the center of a struggle between two eras and two worlds. Craig and guest co-host Elisabeth Rappe (@ElisabethRappe on twitter) talk about amazing Japanese actors, bowling ball dogs, stinky Americans and the movie “The Last Samurai” on this week’s Matinee Heroes! Show Notes 0:45 Craig and Elisabeth talk about Colorado winters and the value of bowling ball dogs. 13:54 Craig and Elisabeth discuss "The Last Samurai" 38:20 Recasting 58:02  Double Feature 1:01:14 Final Thoughts 1:03:20 A preview of next week's episode "Remains of the Day" Next week, friend of the show Kristen Lopez comes on to talk about her book and the movie "Remains of the Day"

13 ASSASSINS Shinzaemon Shimada leads a team of assassins in 19th-century Japan to eliminate a ruthless Lord who is wreaking havoc against his own people. Hired secretly by a government official hoping to end the Lord’s reign of terror, Shimada recruits the best samurai in Japan and then sets a trap for the lord's large contingent of faithful bodyguards. Craig and guest co-host Brendan Agnew  (@BLCAgnew on twitter) discuss dad-bod samurai, getting the band back together, Japanese mythology and the movie “13 Assassins" on this week’s Matinee Heroes. Show Notes 0:56 Craig and Brendan talk about Samurais and 6-year-olds crying over Avengers Infinity War. 7:59 Craig and Brendan discuss "13 Assassins" 29:39 Recasting 47:06  Double Feature 51:37 Final Thoughts 54:13 A preview of next week's episode "The Last Samurai" Samurai month concludes with the apropos "The Last Samurai"

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS Young Kubo's peaceful existence comes crashing down when he accidentally summons a vengeful spirit from the past. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey and Beetle  to unlock a secret legacy. Armed with a magical instrument, Kubo must battle the Moon King and other gods and monsters to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. Craig, Alan and guest Rob Ervin (@YesTHATRobErvin on twitter) talk about the anti-Disney movie,  grief vs remembrance,  year-round football and the movie “Kubo and the Two Strings” On this week’s Matinee Heroes. Show Notes 0:57 Craig and Alan catch up with the Clubhouse Podcast's Rob Ervin as he explains football is pretty much year round. 11:02 Craig, Alan and Rob discuss "Kubo and the Two Strings" 25:40 Recasting 42:41  Double Feature 48:11 Final Thoughts 52:34 A preview of next week's episode "13 Assassins" Samurai month continues with the epic "13 Assass

YOJIMBO A nameless ronin, or samurai with no master, enters a small village in feudal Japan where two rival businessmen are struggling for control of the local gambling trade. The ronin convinces both businessmen, a silk merchant and a sake merchant to hire him as a personal bodyguard, then artfully sets in motion a full-scale gang war between the two ambitious and unscrupulous men. Craig and Alan talk about samurai tropes, The Ghost of Tsushima, double-crosses and the movie “Yojimbo” on this week’s Matinee Heroes! Show Notes 1:01 Craig and Alan talk samurai tropes and how the game Ghost of Tsushima inspired this month's theme. 11:15 Craig and Alan discuss "Yojimbo" 30:10  Recasting 47:46  Double Feature 50:39 Final Thoughts 56:01 A preview of next week's episode "Kubo and the Two Strings" Samurai month continues with the mythic stop-motion animated "Kubo and the Two Strings"

THE FABELMANS Young Sammy Fabelman falls in love with movies after his parents take him to see "The Greatest Show on Earth." Armed with a camera, Sammy starts to make his own films at home, much to the delight of his supportive mother. But the young man uncovers a shattering family secret while learning the power of film and imagination. Craig, Alan and guest Brendan Agnew (@BLCAgnew on Twitter) discuss the master filmmaker, how art will crush your heart, the Houston Film Critics Society’s 2022 nomination list and the movie “The Fabelmans” on this week’s Matinee Heroes. Show Notes 0:56 Craig, Alan and Brendan Agnew talk about the upcoming Houston Film Critics Society awards ceremony on February 18th. 18:32 Craig, Alan and Brendan discuss "The Fabelmans" 40:04  Recasting 54:52  Double Feature 1:03:01 Final Thoughts 1:10:16 A preview of next week's episode "Yojimbo" February is going to be samurai month and we're starting with the all-time classic "Yojimbo"

TOP GUN: MAVERICK After more than 30 years of service as one of the Navy's top aviators, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. Training a detachment of graduates for a special assignment, Maverick must confront the ghosts of his past and his deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who choose to fly it. Craig, Alan and Guest Blake Casselman talk about legacy sequels, Tom Cruise, Blake’s upcoming film “Limbo” and the movie “Top Gun: Maverick” on this week’s Matinee Heroes. Show Notes 0:58 Craig, Alan and Blake Casselman talk about Blake's micro-budget feature "Limbo" coming out in February on Observable Universe. 8:31 Craig, Alan and Blake discuss "Top Gun: Maverick" 33:23  Recasting 1:00:53  Double Feature 1:09:09 Final Thoughts 1:13:01 A preview of next week's episode "The Fablemans" Next week we finish our best of 2022 with

THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT Unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, actor Nick Cage accepts a $1 million offer to attend a wealthy fan's birthday party. Things take a wildly unexpected turn when a CIA operative recruits Cage for an unusual mission. Taking on the role of a lifetime, he soon finds himself channeling his most iconic and beloved characters to save himself and his loved ones. Craig and Stizzy from Everything I Learned from Movies (@EILFMovies on Twitter) talk Nic Cage’s marriages, sweet drug lords, upcoming theme months and the movie “The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent” on this week’s Matinee Heroes. Show Notes 0:57 Craig, Steve and Izzy discuss the upcoming theme months on their podcast Everything I Learned from Movies. 11:52 Craig, Steve and Izzy discuss "Everything Everywhere All At Once" 28:26  Recasting 47:21  Double Feature 51:52 Final Thoughts 58:26 A preview of next week's episode "Top Gun: Maverick" Next week we continue 2023 and our best of 2022

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE When an interdimensional rupture unravels reality, an unlikely hero must channel her newfound powers to fight bizarre and bewildering dangers from the multiverse as the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Craig, Alan and guest Meredith Nudo (@meredithnudo on twitter) discuss the need for empathy, the ever-expanding multiverse, voice over acting and the movie “Everything Everywhere All At Once" on this week’s Matinee Heroes! Show Notes 1:15 Craig and Alan talk to Meredith about her latest voice over jobs and writing gigs. 11:06 Craig, Alan and Meredith discuss "Everything Everywhere All At Once" 37:50  Recasting 1:18:19  Double Feature 1:23:09 Final Thoughts 1:33:38 A preview of next week's episode "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent" Next week we continue 2023 and our best of 2022 with Nicolas Cage being Nicolas Cage in "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent"

STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT After an epic battle against cybernetically-enhanced life forms called the Borg, Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise follow the Borg Sphere back into the 21st century to prevent the Borg from contaminating Earth’s timeline and preventing Earth’s first contact. Picard and the crew must work together to battle the Borg Queen before she assimilates all of mankind and changes history forever. Craig, Alan and Brendan Agnew (@BLCAgnew on twitter) talk about Strange New Worlds, looking ahead at 2023, a live panel with Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) and the movie “Star Trek: First Contact” on this week’s Matinee Heroes! Show Notes 1:14 Craig, Alan and Brendan talk about the upcoming year. 10:31 Craig, Alan and Brendan discuss "Star Trek: First Contact" 31:15 Recasting 46:53 Double Feature 50:17 Final Thoughts 54:14 Brent Spiner & John De Lancie talk with Craig live from Fan X Salt Lake 2022 1:38:20 A preview next week's movie "Everything, Everywhere, All at Onc

THE HOBBIT Craig and Alan go there and back again as they discuss movie Gollum vs animated Gollum, the lack of Tolkien in the 70s, the month of Lord of the Rings and the movie "The Hobbit" on this week's Matinee Heroes! Show Notes 1:47 Craig and Alan discuss "The Hobbit" 28:47    10 things the Hobbit Animation Did Right and Did Wrong list 27:35  Double Feature 33:07 Final Thoughts Next week we end the year with a first, a live Star Trek panel with Q and Data and we talk "Star Trek: First Contact"!

AVATAR On the lush alien world of Pandora live the Na'vi, beings who appear primitive but are highly evolved. Because the planet's environment is poisonous, human/Na'vi hybrids, called Avatars, must link to human minds to allow for free movement on Pandora. Jake Sully, a paralyzed former Marine, becomes mobile again through one such Avatar and falls in love with a Na'vi woman. As a bond with her grows, he is drawn into a battle for the survival of her world. Craig and Alan discuss backlashes to success, betting against James Cameron, the new Indiana Jones trailer and the movie “Avatar” on this week’s Matinee Heroes! Show Notes 1:10 Craig and Alan talk about the new "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" trailer. 10:05 Craig and Alan discuss "Avatar" 34:47  Recasting 47:49  Double Feature 49:54 Final Thoughts 54:50 A preview of next week's episode "The Hobbit" Next week we celebrate the Christmas with a Patreon episode featuring the Rankin/Bass animated musical "The Hobbit".

FULL METAL JACKET A smart-aleck Private Joker and pudgy Private Pyle try to endure the rigors of basic training. Though Pyle takes a frightening detour, Joker graduates to the Marine Corps and is sent to Vietnam as a journalist, covering -- and eventually participating in -- the bloody Tet Offensive. Craig and Alan talk about the amazing R. Lee Ermy, the deconstruction of soldiers, Craig’s full panel with Vincent D’Onofrio at FanX Salt Lake and the movie “Full Metal Jacket” on this week’s Matinee Heroes! Show Notes 0:55 Craig and Alan discuss an upcoming visit to Los Angeles 8:21 Craig and Alan discuss "Full Metal Jacket" 22:07 Recasting 31:33 Double Feature 35:48 Final Thoughts 38:42 Vincent D'Onofrio and Craig talk Live from Fan X Salt Lake 2022 1:23:32 A preview next week's movie "Avatar" With the new sequel coming out next week, Craig and Alan don the 3d glasses and watch "Avatar" on the next Matinee Heroes!

PRESUMED INNOCENT Rusty Sabich is a dedicated criminal prosecutor seduced into a short-lived extramarital affair by a beautiful colleague. When she is found dead--apparently the victim of rape and murder--all the evidence incriminates Sabich. Now, the prosecutor must fight a seemingly hopeless legal battle for his very life. Craig, Alan and guest Elisabeth Rappe (@ElisabethRappe on twitter) talk about ACAB, looking at different perspectives, traffic tickets and the movie “Presumed Innocent” on this week’s Matinee Heroes. Show Notes 0:59 Craig, Alan and guest Elisabeth Rappe discuss small time courts and traffic tickets. 6:50 Craig, Alan and Elizabeth discuss "Presumed Innocent" 38:24   Recasting 1:24:35  Double Feature 1:31:01 Final Thoughts 1:35:33 A preview of next week's episode "Full Metal Jacket" Next week we celebrate the holidays with Craig's interview with Vincent D'Onofrio from FanX and the movie "Full Metal Jacket"

MY COUSIN VINNY Two pals traveling through Alabama are mistakenly arrested and charged with murder. Fortunately, one of them has a cousin who's a lawyer - Vincent Gambini, a former auto mechanic from Brooklyn who just passed his bar exam after his sixth try. Vinny's never been in court - or in Alabama – and now must prove to his cousin, his girlfriend and himself that he’s up to the task or they’ll get the death penalty. Craig and guest co-host Rob Ervin (@YesTHATRobErvin on twitter) discuss following procedures, the sweet side of Joe Pesci, Rob moderating events and the movie “My Cousin Vinny” on this week’s Matinee Heroes! Show Notes 1:01 Craig and Rob Ervin catch up and swap moderating stories 12:27 Craig and Rob discuss "My Cousin Vinny" 36:47   Recasting 1:11:58  Double Feature 1:13:58 Final Thoughts 1:18:42 A preview of next week's episode "Presumed Innocent" Next week finish Court-vember with a powerful Harrison Ford performance in "Presumed Innocent"

A FEW GOOD MEN Lt. Daniel Kaffee is a military lawyer defending two U.S. Marines charged with killing a fellow Marine at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. Although Kaffee is known for seeking plea bargains, a fellow lawyer, Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway, convinces him that the accused marines were most likely carrying out an order from a commanding officer. Kaffee takes a risk by calling Col. Nathan R. Jessep to the stand in an effort to uncover the conspiracy. Craig is joined by guest co-host Derek McCaw (@FanboyPlanet on twitter) and guest Bryan Richards (@FirewaterCast on twitter) to discuss acting well when you don’t fit the part, why craig didn’t join the military, realistic lawyer movies and the movie “A Few Good Men” on this week’s Matinee Heroes! Show Notes 1:09 Craig, Derek and Bryan talk about their podcasts and the Son of Monsterpalooza event 7:52 Craig, Derek and Bryan discuss "A Few Good Men" 28:48   Recasting 1:01:53  Double Feature 1:05:36 Final Thoughts 1:10:46 A preview

IN MEMORIAM: KEVIN CONROY 1955-2022 Today, November 11th, we all got the news that the one and true Batman, Kevin Conroy passed. We’re going something we haven’t done before and hope we don’t have to do again for a while, We’re replaying a episode we did on The Mask of the Phantasm that included my panel with him from San Francisco Comic Con on June 8th, 2018.  I was fortunate enough to meet Kevin a few times, I just talked him in December at the LA Comic Con and he was always gracious, he loved being known for Batman, He loved saying "I am Vengeance" but more importantly, you can always tell he really loved the fans. Thank you, Kevin, for sharing yourself with us.

12 ANGRY MEN Following the closing arguments in a murder trial, 12 members of a jury must deliberate, with a guilty verdict meaning death for the accused, an inner-city teen. As the dozen men try to reach a unanimous decision while sequestered in a room, one juror casts considerable doubt on elements of the case. Personal issues soon rise to the surface, and conflict threatens to derail the delicate process that will decide one boy's fate. Craig, Alan and guest Sam Levitt discuss how reasonable doubt should work, being the apple of a killer’s eye, #12AngryMuppets and the movie “12 Angry Men” on this week Matinee Heroes! Show Notes 0:54 Craig, Alan and Sam talk about jury duty and when a defendant hits on you. 9:57 Craig, Alan and Sam discuss "12 Angry Men" 36:19   Recasting 1:02:46  Double Feature 1:07:18 Final Thoughts 1:15:14 A preview of next week's episode "A Few Good Men" You can't handle next week's podcast when guests Derek McCaw and Bryan Richards talk about "A Few Good Men"

WHAT LIES BENEATH When Claire Spencer begins seeing ghostly images and hearing mysterious voices in their home, her husband Norman suspects it's just her imagination - until the images turn real. Now, together they must uncover the truth, confront their worst fears and find "what lies beneath" Craig and guest co-host Elisabeth Rappe (@ElisabethRappe on twitter) discuss Harrison Ford as a sexual being, what to give kids for Halloween, giving the movie away in the marketing and the movie “What Lies Beneath” in this weeks Matinee Villains. Show Notes 0:53 Craig and Elisabeth talk about 2 things that scare Elisabeth: ghosts and aliens! 10:51 Craig and Elisabeth discuss "What Lies Beneath" 31:05   Recasting 51:43  Double Feature 54:11 Final Thoughts 1:02:31 A preview of next week's episode "12 Angry Men" Order in the court as we start a full month of courtroom cinema, starting with "12 Angry Men"

THE FOG According to legend, six sailors killed when shipwrecked 100 years ago in Antonio Bay, California, will rise to avenge their deaths. As daylight fades, a mysterious fog envelops the town and begins to strew panic and death. Craig, Alan and guest Brendan Agnew (@BLCAgnew on twitter) discuss ghost stories, is Craig a John Carpenter fan, what do you show a 5-year-old for Halloween and the movie “The Fog” on this week’s Matinee Villains! Show Notes 0:57 Craig, Alan and Brendan Agnew talk about what little 5-year-old Marion is watching this Halloween season. 7:38 Craig, Alan and Brendan discuss "The Fog" 31:51   Recasting 47:27  Double Feature 52:56 Final Thoughts 59:43 A preview of next week's episode "What Lies Beneath" Matinee Villains month concludes with Harrison's heel turn in "What Lies Beneath"