Movies and Chaos

What makes a movie snob in this media-secular world? We look at what's behind preferences for movies shot and projected on film vs. digital even when those old 35mm prints are turning pink. Also, what's behind the trend of movies shot in 4:3 ratios? Thoughts about rebooting THE CROW. Various Halloween sequels. A bit on JLo. A bit on DUNE PART II.  It's all here.

Filmmaker Chris Nash joins us to discuss his experimental festival-hit slasher IN A VIOLENT NATURE, coming soon to Shudder.  We talk about the strengths of practical and CG effects. And because nothing slips by us, we all review the new Jennifer Lopez VFX-heavy visual album THIS IS ME... NOW. 

Serena and Mark talk about repertory programming drama, competition, clout, and how to avoid all those things. Plus, the BARBIE Oscar controversy, Melissa Barrera faces more punishment for not wanting civilians to die, the passing of Carl Weathers, and the upcoming BEETLEJUICE sequel.

In this lively convo, we're joined by critic and scholar of ass-kicking films Outlaw Vern to talk the 1984 Cannon Films landmarks BREAKIN' and BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO. We also get into the relationship of hip-hop and movies, the rap soundtracks that first impacted us, and much more. 

Happy New Year (can we still say so?)! It's our Season 2 premiere, and we pick our best and worst films of 2023, talk about our fave screenings that we hosted, and look forward to the film year ahead. Plus, Mark is finally optimistic about the future of cinema. All the character development a podcast can hold! 

It's the holidays, and actor Loretta Yu (Moonshine) and screenwriter/podcaster Ryan Jackson (Mutual Aberration Society) join the pod to discuss their thoughts on Christmas movies. We take a look at the teen slasher It's a Wonderful Knife and the bizarre Canadian children's film The Christmas Martian. Plus, the influence of Detention, and the expectation of diversity casting. Serena can't be here this week, but she and Mark will return in the New Year! 

We talk about Melissa Barrera getting fired from Scream 7 over her pro-Palestine comments, censorship, conformity, and the age of policing what celebrities say.  Then we review Thanksgiving, Napoleon, Five Nights at Freddy's and Leave the World Behind. 

In this lively discussion, we're joined by Andy Williams of the cult genre film distributor Vinegar Syndrome to talk the importance of holding onto your DVDs and blu-rays. We also nerd out on specific Vinegar Syndrome titles, and ask what's going to save movies in the age when everything's "content." 

We talk about programming horror films with Steven Landry (Toronto International Film Festival, Fantastic Film Festival, Nightmare Alley), including discussions on When Evil Lurks and Terrifier, and what feels like a new age of Extreeeeme Horror. Plus, thoughts on the Fast and the Furious franchise, and a mini argument on Suspiria that Mark regrets not fighting for harder. 

It’s scary movie season, so Mark and Serena riff on doing the 31 Days of Halloween thing, what they consider the appeal of horror, our fave movies to watch this time of year, the new Exorcist, When Evil Lurks, Totally Killer. Plus, our evolving feelings on gore in movies, the exploding penis on Gen V, etc. 

This week we're joined by superstar film and music video editor Chancler Haynes. He talks to us about what it's like editing projects for Taylor Swift and Joseph Kahn. And then he schools us on all things Jackie Chan, as we discuss the classics Police Story and Police Story 2.

This is a great discussion on movie poster design, its importance, its history and its trends, with graphic designer Matthew Therrien. Matthew designed posters for Drunken Cinema events and now does cover art for blu-ray labels like Severin and Synapse. We also discuss dealing with online haters, the Russell Brand and Sam Levinson scandals and much more! 

First, we let you know how to pitch a successful film series at a repertory cinema. Then we talk about Harmony Korine's view that TikTok is the future of movies and his stated desire to rethink the artform, Plus, does Bottoms signal the mainstream acceptance of post-woke comedy? Finally a vital skill: dealing with hecklers.

In this super fun ep John Davies (screenwriter of Hobo with a Shotgun and Kids vs. Aliens) joins us to talk about the movie moments that scarred us as kids. Are kid movies traumatizing enough anymore? Plus, the legacy of the 2000s torture porn era on popular audiences. 

Yes, we here at Movies and Chaos are all things! Writer and extreme cinema fan Lauren Messervey joins us to discuss dating at the movies. What are some bad date movie choices we've all made? Is movie dating even a good idea? Plus, Tarantino, Gaspar Noe, thoughts on PDA, Elon Musk, more Oppenheimer, MORE Barbie, etc. 

Mark and Serena take a look at the Barbenheimer phenomenon saving a disastrous Summer 2023 box office. Why do Barbie and Oppenheimer feel like something new? We get into why horror films are also still playing well in theatres. Plus, our thoughts on the new Mission: Impossible, the weird phenomenon of Sound of Freedom, and many more things of strange importance.

This is a lively chat about the WGA Strike with Simon Barrett (the screenwriter of You're Next, The Guest and the upcoming Godzillla x Kong: The New Empire, as well as the writer-director of Seance). How are writers treated in the film industry? Should we fear the AI takeover? Auteurism, possessory credits, Indiana Jones. It's all here! 

The battle of independent cinemas against corporate monopolies. We're joined by Andy Willick, chairperson of N.I.C.E. (Network of Independent Canadian Exhibitors) and owner and programmer of the Fox, Apollo, and ByTowne cinemas for a great talk about the fight against film screening hegemony, and the pride and passion of bringing audiences the movies they love. Are films still relevant? What type of people still go? Also, Serena comes clean about her uncommon taste in the JAWS franchise. 

In this fantastic discussion, we get deep with culture/philosophy podcaster and writer Angie Speaks (Newsweek, Mystic and the Machine) to discuss puriteens, gender hostilities, and the emptiness of sexuality on screen in the context of HBO’s The Idol.
 
Sex vs. Sexiness. 
Men vs. Women. 
Hollywood vs. Our Souls. 

With the recent passing of rock legend Tina Turner, we take a look back at the 1993 biopic What's Love Got to Do with It. And is the abuse depicted in the film too much for unsuspecting audiences. Content warnings are back in the news following a couple disturbing Cannes screenings, but when does an advisory become necessary? Plus, Mark has an unpopular view on Flamin' Hot Cheetos.