AKAPAD the FILM BUFF Podcast

For many families in the '90s and 2000s, A Goofy Movie was a staple of the home video library—so much so that an entire generation forgot it was ever released in theaters, remembering it only as a home-viewing classic. On its 30th anniversary, AKAPAD: The Film looks back at a uniquely heartfelt era of Disney animation—one we may never see again.

AKAPAD The Film Buff was there for the original release of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, experiencing a very different world for Star Wars fans twenty years ago. Today, he reflects on how much has changed since that pivotal moment in the saga’s history.

Happy almost-Friday, AKAPAD'ers! The Film Buff is back with another gem sidelined by the pandemic: North Hollywood (2021). This vibrant coming-of-age skate flick would’ve been a thousand times more celebrated, watched, and loved if COVID hadn’t thrown its release off course. Trust us, this one deserves way more hype! #NorthHollywood #HiddenGem North Hollywood is a coming-of-age comedy-drama directed by Mikey Alfred. It follows Michael (Ryder McLaughlin), a high school graduate in North Hollywood, California, who dreams of becoming a professional skateboarder. Torn between his father Oliver’s (Vince Vaughn) expectations of pursuing a conventional career or joining the family construction business, Michael faces tension with his friends and family as he chases his passion. After connecting with professional skaters, he drifts from his childhood friends, who don’t share his ambition, and navigates a budding romance. The film explores themes of self-discovery, independence, and balancing personal dreams with familial pressures, set against the vibrant skate culture of Los Angeles. Cast: Ryder McLaughlin as Michael Vince Vaughn as Oliver Miranda Cosgrove as Rachel Nico Hiraga as Jay Aramis Hudson as Adolf Angus Cloud as Walker Tyshawn Jones as Isiah Bob Worrest as Nolan Gillian Jacobs as (uncredited role, noted in reviews) Andrew Reynolds as (cameo, table scene) Louie Lopez as (cameo, table scene) Kader Sylla as (cameo, ticketer) Davonte Jolly as (cameo, skate filmer) Sunny Suljic as Clark (cameo, two appearances) Na-Kel Smith as (cameo, multiple appearances) Zach Saraceno as (cameo, skater) Kevin White as (cameo, skater) Crew: Director: Mikey Alfred Writer: Rusty Johnson Producers: Mikey Alfred, Pharrell Williams, Noah Centineo, Yuri Shulga, Malcolm Washington, Katelin Espitia, Jus Ske Cinematographer: Ayinde Anderson Editor: Mikki Lovitch Production Companies: Illegal Civilization, First Try Productions, Happy Place Music Supervisor: Hal Williams Soundtrack Contributors: (Various artists, noted for complementing skate culture visuals) The film, loosely based on Alfred’s life, premiered at SoFi Stadium in March 2021 as a drive-in event and runs for 1 hour and 33 minutes. It’s unrated and features a mix of established actors and real professional skaters, reflecting the authentic skateboarding scene.

Few films bring together all the elements as seamlessly as The Order—a standout that earns its place as a top-tier pick for AKAPAD The Film Buff. Those who brought us The Order Cast Jude Law as Terry Husk (FBI agent) Nicholas Hoult as Robert Jay Mathews (leader of The Order) Tye Sheridan as Jamie Bowen (local deputy) Jurnee Smollett as Joanne Carney (FBI agent) Alison Oliver as Debbie Mathews Odessa Young as Zillah Craig Marc Maron as Alan Berg (radio journalist) Sebastian Pigott as Bruce Pierce George Tchortov as Gary Yarbrough Victor Slezak as Richard Butler Phillip Forest Lewitski as David Lane Matias Lucas as Tony Torres Bradley Stryker as Sam Stinson Morgan Holmstrom as Kimmy Bowen Daniel Doheny as Walter West Daniel Yip as Engineer Vanessa Holmes as Bank Teller #1 Bryan J. McHale as Bank Manager Rae Farrer as Bank Teller #2 Philip Granger as Sheriff Loftlin Ryan Chandoul Wesley as Willie Bowen Huxley Fisher as Clinton Mathews Geena Meszaros as Bonnie Sue West Sean Tyler Foley as Tony Bentley Sarah Haggeman as Connie Pierce Judith Buchan as Birdie Lane David LeReaney as Donald Lane Stafford Perry as FBI Agent Chantal Perron as Jean Craig The Crew Director: Justin Kurzel Screenwriter: Zach Baylin Producers: Bryan Haas, Stuart Ford, Justin Kurzel, Jude Law Executive Producers: Zach Baylin, Alastair Burlingham, Stephen Fuss, Ben Jackson, Sean Patrick O'Reilly, Miguel A. Palos Jr., Gary Raskin, Eric Rebalkin, Jeremy Saulnier, Kate Susman, Anant Tamirisa, Paul Weinberg Cinematography: Adam Arkapaw Editor: Nick Fenton Music Composer: Jed Kurzel Casting Directors: Rhonda Fisekci, Avy Kaufman Production Designer: Karen Murphy Costume Designer: Rachel Dainer-Best Hair Department Head: Eva Baulackey Makeup Department Head: Sharon Toohey Stunt Coordinator: Steven McMichael Script Supervisor: Ben Saracini Main Title Designer: Jeremy Chen

The Film Buff does not know where to go with this one because 2025's Companion now availanle on HBO MAX offers muliple avennues of disscussion points. This is not a bad problem to have iand is what AKAPAD strives for, Companion is an important film that lends itself as a front runnrer of the greatest AI film ever made. Those who brought us Companion Cast Sophie Thatcher as Iris Jack Quaid as Josh Lukas Gage as Patrick Megan Suri as Kat Harvey Guillén as Eli Rupert Friend as Sergey Jaboukie Young-White as Teddy Matthew J. McCarthy as Sid Marc Menchaca as Deputy Hendrix Ashley Lambert as Josh’s Car (voice) Crew Director & Writer: Drew Hancock Producers: Zach Cregger Roy Lee Raphael Margules J.D. Lifshitz Richard Brener (Executive Producer) Jamie Buckner (Executive Producer) Pete Chiappetta (Executive Producer) Andrew Childs (Executive Producer) Andrew Lary (Executive Producer) Josh Mack (Executive Producer) Adam Ridley (Executive Producer) Ryan Ridley (Executive Producer) Tracy Rosenblum (Executive Producer) Paulina Sussman (Executive Producer) Anthony Tittanegro (Executive Producer) Cinematography: Eli Born Editing: Brett W. Bachman, Josh Ethier Music: Hrishikesh Hirway Casting: Nancy Nayor Production Design: Scott Kuzio Art Direction: John Duhigg Cox, Naomi Munro Set Decoration: Kendall Anderson Costume Design: Vanessa Porter