NEWSIES

A courageous group of newsboys become unlikely heroes when they team up to fight an unscrupulous newspaper tycoon. When publisher Joseph Pulitzer sets new rules that make it harder for the young newspaper salesmen to make a buck, the boys go on strike.

Craig and Jake Dietz discuss child labor, being too young to be scared, Jake's podcast Movies that Makes Us and the musical "Newsies" on this week's Matinee Heroes - Plus!

Show Notes

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

After falling in love with a U.S. Army sergeant, an East Berlin boy named Hansel undergoes a sex-change operation so that he can legally marry his beloved. But the operation is botched, leaving the boy less than a man, but not quite a woman. Deserted in a Kansas trailer park, the boy/girl, now named Hedwig, reinvents himself/herself as a rock star.

Alan and Craig are joined by Jessica Pettit (@jesspettitt on twitter) to discuss empathy, transformation, The nominees for the Houston Film Critics Society and the movie “Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ on this week’s Matinee Musicals!

Show notes

MARY POPPINS

When the two children of the wealthy and uptight Banks family, are faced with the prospect of a new nanny, they are pleasantly surprised by the arrival of the magical Mary. Embarking on a series of fantastical adventures with Mary and her Cockney performer friend, Bert, the siblings try to pass on some of their nanny's sunny attitude to their preoccupied parents.

Alan and Craig are joined by actor/writer/producer Debra Sullivan (@debsullivanm on twitter) to talk about whimsy and sexual tension, ugly British children, The US release of “Secret Santa” Alan’s special review of the new Mary Poppins Returns as well as the original Disney Classic Mary Poppins on this holiday edition of Matinee Musicals!

Show Notes

MOULIN ROUGE

Idealistic Christian is drawn into the dark, fantastical underworld of the Parisian nightclub, the Moulin Rouge.  In this seedy but glamorous haven of sex, drugs and electricity, he finds himself plunged into a passionate but ultimately tragic love affair with the club's highest paid star and the city's most famous courtesan, Satin

Alan and Craig are joined by Annie Bulloch (@texasannie on twitter) of 8th Dimension Comics and Games to discuss abusive relationships, elven marketing managers, the various versions of love and the movie Moulin Rouge on this week’s Matinee Musicals!

Show Notes

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

A nerdy florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed human blood!!

Alan and Craig are joined by returning guest Meredith Nudo (@meredithnudo on twitter) to discuss Capitalism, 90’s cartoons based on movies for adults, the Lee Pace SEO Hack and the movie “Little Shop of Horrors” on this week’s Matinee Musicals.

Show Notes

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN

Musician Don Lockwood rises to stardom during Hollywood's silent-movie era--paired with the beautiful, jealous and dumb Lina Lamont). When Lockwood becomes attracted to young studio singer Kathy Selden  Lamont has her fired. But with the introduction of talking pictures, audiences laugh when they hear Lockwood speak for the first time--and the studio uses Selden to dub her voice.

Alan and Craig are joined by Windy Bowlsby (@reeledumusical on twitter)as they discuss Gene Kelly’s butt, jukebox musicals, showcasing talent and the movie “Singin in the Rain on the week’s Matinee Musicals!

Show Notes