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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: Category: Action
Jan 13, 2024

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME

With Spider-Man's identity now revealed, our friendly neighborhood web-slinger is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life as Peter Parker from the high stakes of being a superhero. When Peter asks for help from Doctor Strange, the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.

Craig and guest co-host Brendan Agnew discuss proper fan service, multiverses, family trips and the movie “Spider-Man: No Way Home” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!!

Show Notes

  • 1:08

    Craig and guest  co-host Brendan Agnew discuss travel plans in 2024.

  • 8:44

    Craig and Brendan discuss "Spider-Man: No Way Home"

  • 29:08

    Recasting

  • 51:48 

    Double Feature

  • 54:07

    Final Thoughts

  • 55:36

    A preview of next week's episode "Blade Runner 2049"

Next week we continue a month of sequels with "Blade Runner 2049"

Dec 9, 2023

THE GOONIES

With brothers Mikey and Brand's house slated for demolition by greedy land developers, the boys decide their only hope lies in finding a long-lost treasure. They uncover a treasure map and with their friends descend to a subterranean sea and an abandoned galleon looking for the "X" and trying to get away from a group of bad guys who also want the treasure.

Craig, guest co-hosts Elisabeth Rappe and Billy Donnelly talk about that friend with a pool, kids who save the day, films we grew up with and the movie “the Goonies” on this week’s Matinee Heroes.

Show Notes

  • 1:14

    Craig and guest co-hosts Elisabeth Rappe and Billy Donnelly talk about movies they grew up with

  • 15:37

    Craig Elisabeth and Billy discuss "The Goonies"

  • 51:27 

    Double Feature

  • 1:06:04

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:18:29

    A preview of next week's episode "The Neverending Story"

The 80's kids movies continue next week with "The Neverending Story"

Nov 11, 2023

CAPTAIN MARVEL

 Alan and Craig discuss if Captain Marvel is "for them", Alan's experience with ScreenX and 4DX and the movie "Captain Marvel" on this week's Matinee Heroes!''

Next week, we remember the 60th anniversary of the Kennedy assassination with Oliver Stone's classic "JFK"

Sep 2, 2023

THE EQUALIZER

Alan and Craig discuss "old man" action heroes, charming pigs, a review of The Equalizer 2 and the movie " The Equalizer " on this week's Matinee Heroes!

Next week we see dead people with the movie "The Sixth Sense"

Aug 5, 2023

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT

Ethan Hunt and the IMF team join forces with CIA assassin August Walker to prevent a disaster of epic proportions. A group of terrorists known as the Apostles plan to use three plutonium cores for a simultaneous nuclear attack on the Vatican, Jerusalem and Mecca, Saudi Arabia. When the weapons go missing, Ethan and his crew find themselves in a desperate race against time to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to listen to Craig, Alan and guest Mark Woodring from the Visually Stunning Movie Podcast (@VSMoviePodcast on twitter) talk about peak action, a brief "Dead Reckoning: Part One" review, having a formidable villain and the movie “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 1:14

    Craig and Alan finally review "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" .

  • 13:41

    Craig, Alan and guest Mark Woodring discuss "Mission: Impossible - Fallout"

  • 36:12

    Recasting

  • 50:50 

    Double Feature

  • 56:01

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:03:51

    A preview of next week's episode "Wonder Boys"

Next week we celebrate Alan's birthday with one of his favorites "Wonder Boys"

Jul 29, 2023

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION

With the IMF now disbanded and Ethan Hunt out in the cold, a new threat, called the Syndicate, soon emerges. The Syndicate is a network of highly skilled operatives who are dedicated to establishing a new world order via an escalating series of terrorist attacks. Faced with what may be the most impossible mission yet, Ethan gathers his team and joins forces with a disavowed British agent who may or may not be a member of this deadly rogue nation.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to listen to Craig, Alan and guest Brendan Agnew (@BLCAgnew on Twitter) talk about upping the ante, the clinking of the roller coaster, Marion’s first Rated R film and the movie "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" on this week’s Matinee Heroes.

Show Notes

  • 1:03

    Craig, Alan and guest Brendan Agnew discuss the first R-rated movies they ever saw.

  • 13:41

    Craig, Alan and Brendan discuss "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation"

  • 28:24

    Recasting

  • 40:50 

    Double Feature

  • 44:20

    Final Thoughts

  • 50:04

    A preview of next week's episode "Mission: Impossible - Fallout"

Next week we  wrap up our look back on Mission: Impossible with a review of the new movie and  "Mission: Impossible - Fallout"

Jul 22, 2023

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL

Blamed for a terrorist attack on the Kremlin, Ethan Hunt and the entire IMF agency are disavowed by the U.S. government, while the president initiates the Ghost Protocol. Forced to go "off the grid" -- left without resources or backup -- Hunt must somehow clear the agency's name and prevent another attack. Complicating matters even more, Ethan must undertake the impossible mission with a group of fellow IMF fugitives whose actual motives are suspect.

Your mission, if you chose to accept it, is to listen to Craig, Alan and Elisabeth Rappe (@ElisabethRappe on twitter) talk about improbable bad guys, the start of something good, Brad Bird’s live action debut and the movie “Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 0:56

    Craig, Alan and guest Elisabeth Rappe discuss the first half of 2023 and the movies they liked.

  • 10:32

    Craig, Alan and Elisabeth Rappe discuss "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol"

  • 38:46

    Recasting

  • 58:24 

    Double Feature

  • 1:04:01

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:10:16

    A preview of next week's episode "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation"

Next week we introduce a great character to the franchise when Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa appears in  "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation"

Jul 8, 2023

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III

Retired from active duty, and training recruits for the Impossible Mission Force, agent Ethan Hunt (Tom faces the toughest foe of his career: Owen Davian , an international broker of arms and information, who is as cunning as he is ruthless. Davian emerges to threaten Hunt and all that he holds dear -- including the woman Hunt loves.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to listen to Craig and guest co-host Avish Parashar talk about if Tom Cruise is a box office draw, mid-life milestones, mystery box misgivings and the movie "Mission Impossible III” on this week’s Matinee Heroes.

Show Notes

  • 1:05

    Craig and guest co-host Avish Parashar discuss turning 50, having a daughter and other mid-life milestones.

  • 7:14

    Craig and Avish discuss "Mission: Impossible III"

  • 27:28

    Recasting

  • 42:24 

    Double Feature

  • 45:45

    Final Thoughts

  • 48:59

    A preview of next week's episode "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol"

Next week we kick the franchise into gear and start experiencing the greatness of  "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol"

Jul 1, 2023

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE

U.S. government operative Ethan Hunt and his mentor, Jim Phelps go on a covert assignment that takes a disastrous turn. Jim is killed, and Ethan becomes the prime murder suspect. Now a fugitive, Hunt recruits disavowed agents help him sneak into a heavily guarded CIA building to retrieve a confidential computer file that will prove his innocence.

Your mission, if you chose to accept it, is to listen to Craig and Alan talk about Tom Cruise, 27 years of longevity, a great start to a franchise and the Movie "Mission: Impossible" on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 0:55

    Craig and Alan reflect on the entire Mission: Impossible franchise to celebrate the latest movie "Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1" out in theaters July 12th.

  • 8:38

    Craig and Alan discuss "Mission: Impossible”"

  • 32:29

    Recasting

  • 48:51 

    Double Feature

  • 53:45

    Final Thoughts

  • 59:36

    A preview of next week's episode "Mission: Impossible III"

Next week we skip the only real dud in the franchise and go straight to "Mission: Impossible III"

Jun 24, 2023

PITCH BLACK

Alan and Craig go back into the Patreon archives to 2019 and discuss bad guys who turn into less bad guys, Vin Diesel's acting and the strange science that abounds in "Pitch Black" on this week's Matinee Heroes!

Next week we start a full month of Mission: Impossible movies going all the way back to the beginning with 1996's "Mission: Impossible"

Jun 17, 2023

AVENGERS: ENDGAME

Alan and Craig go back into the Patreon archives to 2019 and discuss the internet spoiling movies, what they thought of SPOILER REDACTED, how SPOILER REDACTED when SPOILER REDACTED and all the spoilers in this unredacted spoiler filled recap of "Avengers: Endgame"  on this week's Matinee Heroes!

Next week we start a full month of Mission: Impossible movies going all the way back to the beginning with 1996's "Mission: Impossible"

May 27, 2023

FIRST BLOOD

Vietnam veteran and drifter John J. Rambo wanders into a small Washington town in search of an old friend but is met with intolerance and brutality by the local sheriff. When the sheriff’s deputies rough up Rambo, he flashes back to his time as a prisoner of war and unleashes his fury on the officers. He narrowly escapes the manhunt, but it will take Rambo’s former commander to save the hunters from the hunted.

Craig and guest cohost Brendan Agnew (@BLCAgnew on Twitter) talk about the way soldiers are viewed now vs the 70s, Miyazaki retrospective at Cinapse, over confident locals and the movie First Blood on this week’s Matinee Heroes.

Show Notes

  • 0:58

    Craig and Brendan talk about the series of articles Brendan has written for Cinapse.co regarding Miyazaki's anime films. 

  • 12:20

    Craig and Brendan discuss "First Blood"

  • 32:53

    Recasting

  • 43:30 

    Double Feature

  • 46:43

    Final Thoughts

  • 49:31

    A preview of next week's episode "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure"

Next week is the totally bodacious movie "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure"

May 20, 2023

ROAD HOUSE

Dalton is a legendary bouncer who comes to Jasper, Missouri, for a special purpose: to restore order at the notorious Double Deuce and rid the bar of thugs and henchmen. But when he runs afoul of a ruthless crime boss who controls the town, the stage is set for a blistering showdown that'll leave only one man standing!

Craig, Alan and guest Annie Bulloch (@8dComix on twitter)talk about professional bouncers, growing up in the 80s, the angelic Patrick Swayze and the movie “Road House” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 1:00

    Craig and Alan welcome Annie Bulloch back from a long hiatus from the show and talk about growing up in the 80's

  • 13:47

    Craig, Alan and Annie discuss "Road House"

  • 40:10

    Recasting

  • 1:14:18 

    Double Feature

  • 1:21:22

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:29:18

    A preview of next week's episode "First Blood"

Next week, the 80s nostalgia continues with the grounded start to an overblown franchise "First Blood"

May 6, 2023

INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM

Intrepid archaeologist Indiana Jones, on the trail of fortune and glory in Old Shanghai, is ricocheted into a dangerous adventure in India. With his faithful companion Short Round and nightclub singer Willie Scott, Indy goes in search of the magical Sankara stone, and uncovers an ancient evil which threatens all who come into contact with it.

Craig and co-host Elisabeth Rappe (@ElisabethRappe on twitter) talk about the power of Ke Huy Quan’s Short Round, Geeks Who Drink, peak Harrison Ford and the movie “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” on this week’s Matinee Heroes.

Show Notes

  • 0:55

    Craig, Alan and Elisabeth talk about Geeks Who Drink and Craig moderating at Comic Con Revolution Ontario.

  • 15:02

    Craig, Alan and Elisabeth discuss "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"

  • 48:32

    Recasting

  • 1:02:20 

    Double Feature

  • 1:09:23

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:18:24

    A preview of next week's episode "Highlander"

Next week, we talk about a movie Craig wishes there was only one of "Highlander"

Apr 15, 2023

OCEAN'S ELEVEN

Less than 24 hours into his parole from a New Jersey penitentiary, the wry, charismatic thief Danny Ocean is already rolling out his next plan. Following three rules: Don't hurt anybody, don't steal from anyone who doesn't deserve it, and play the game like you've got nothing to lose. Danny orchestrates the most sophisticated, elaborate casino heist in history.

Craig and guest co-host Chauncey Telese (@bigchaunc64 on twitter) talk about who’s a movie star, personality driven movies, off-season football, and the movie “Ocean’s Eleven” on this week’s Matinee Heroes.

Show Notes

  • 0:54

    Craig and Chauncey Telese talk about Tom Brady and some off-season football.

  • 13:27

    Craig and Chauncey discuss "Ocean's Eleven"

  • 38:52

    Recasting

  • 57:10 

    Double Feature

  • 58:46

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:01:03

    A preview of next week's episode "Magnificent Seven"

Next week, we keep our "movies with numbers in the title" streak at two with "The Magnificent Seven"

Mar 25, 2023

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 - PARABELLUM

After gunning down a member of the High Table -- the shadowy international assassin's guild -- legendary hit man John Wick finds himself stripped of the organization's protective services. Now stuck with a $14 million bounty on his head, Wick must fight his way through the streets of New York as he becomes the target of the world's most ruthless killers.

Alan and Craig discuss massive action scenes, ball chomping dogs, Elton John's "Rocketman" and a spoiler filled review of the movie "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" on this week's Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 0:00

    Craig and Alan review "John Wick: Chapter 4"

  • 5:55

    Craig and Alan discuss "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum"

  • 25:34

    Final Thoughts

  • 31:38

    A preview of next week's episode "Dragonslayer"

Next week, we celebrate the release of "Dungeon and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" with a fantasy classic "Dragonslayer"

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"

Jan 21, 2023

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 master, Steven Spielberg's "The Fablemans"

Aug 27, 2022

TAKEN

When his estranged daughter is kidnapped in Paris, a former CIA spy enlists in a one-man war, to rescue her and take down her ruthless abductors.

Craig and guest co-host Brendan Agnew (@BLCAgnew on twitter) talk about the power of Neeson, protecting your daughters, a lack luster summer for kids’ movies and the movie “Taken” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 1:00

    Craig and Brendan Agnew lament the lack of quality summer kids movies in 2022.

  • 6:17

    Craig and Brendan discuss "Taken"

  • 30:56  

    Recasting

  • 43:03 

    Double Feature

  • 46:05

    Final Thoughts

  • 50:40

    A preview of next week's episode "Riders of Justice"

We're opening the Matinee Heroes Patreon vault and releasing "Riders of Justice" next week!

Aug 6, 2022

THE ROCK

FBI chemical warfare expert Stanley Goodspeed is sent on an urgent mission with a former British spy, John Patrick Mason to stop a righteous General from launching chemical weapons on Alcatraz Island into San Francisco. The mad General demands $100 million in war reparations to be paid to the families of slain servicemen who died on covert operations. After their SEAL team is wiped out, Stanley and John deal with the soldiers on their own.

Craig, Alan and guest Billy Donnelly (@infamouskidd on twitter) discuss the indifference of Michael Bay, America’s need for mental health, irritating subordinates and the movie “The Rock” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 1:00

    Craig, Alan and Billy Donnelly dig into Craig's feelings of resentment and the inability to follow his dreams.

  • 17:04

    Craig, Alan and Billy discuss the movie "The Rock"

  • 39:26  

    Recasting

  • 1:06:02

    Double Feature

  • 1:09:12

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:15:13

    A preview of next week's episode "TRON"

Next week...we celebrate Alan's birthday with one of his favorite movies "TRON"

May 28, 2022

MIDNIGHT RUN

Bail bondsman Eddie Moscone hires tight-lipped bounty hunter Jack Walsh to locate a mob accountant named "The Duke" and bring him to L.A., Eddie tells Jack that the job will be simple, or a "midnight run." But when Jack finds The Duke, the FBI and the mob are anxious to get their hands on him. In a cross-country chase, Jack must evade the authorities, hide from the Mob and prevent The Duke's erratic personality from driving him mad.

Craig and Alan discuss road movies, video games, the importance of chemistry and the movie Midnight Run on this week’s Matinee Heroes.

Show Notes

  • 1:03

    Craig and Alan talk about video games and "Bob's Burgers".

  • 10:28

    Craig and Alan discuss the movie "Midnight Run"

  • 34:03

    Recasting

  • 54:59

    Double Feature

  • 58:14

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:01:01

    A preview of next week's episode "Up"

Next week...we're starting a whole month of Pixar movies! First up:  UP!

May 21, 2022

DEADPOOL

Wade Wilson is a former Special Forces operative who now works as a mercenary. His world comes crashing down when an evil scientist tortures, disfigures and transforms him into Deadpool. The rogue experiment leaves Deadpool with accelerated healing powers and a twisted sense of humor. With help from mutant allies Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Deadpool uses his new skills to hunt down the man who nearly destroyed his life.

Craig and Alan discuss the charisma of Ryan Reynolds, "Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness", the new "Avatar" trailer and the movie “Deadpool” on this week’s Matinee Heroes.

Show Notes

  • 1:00

    Craig and Alan talk about "Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness" as well as the new "Avatar" trailer

  • 9:07

    Craig and Alan discuss the movie "Deadpool"

  • 19:52

    Recasting

  • 31:37

    Double Feature

  • 33:35

    Final Thoughts

  • 37:43

    A preview of next week's episode "Midnight Run"

Next week...we're wrapping up our "fun" themed month with a cross-country trek and "Midnight Run"

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