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Matinee Heroes

Matinee Heroes is a podcast dedicated to exploring hero cinema - from adventurers, heroes, and superheroes; from Jedi to buddy cops; from the Wild West, to the distant past, to futures both hopeful and dystopian, from ancient lands to the deepest reaches of outer space. In a time when we need heroes more than ever, Alan and Craig will try to understand just what makes our cinematic heroes tick, and how we can use that heroism in our everyday life.
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Now displaying: February, 2023
Feb 25, 2023

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"

Feb 18, 2023

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"

Feb 11, 2023

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 Assassins" 

Feb 4, 2023

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"

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