Mixed Bag

165 - Michael Collins 🇮🇪

"Oh... they're the IRA." – Matt Loveranes, 2026 It's a Cass pick, which means you know it'll either be animated, a musical, or an obscure period piece (shout out Dean Spanley). Today's film is definitely in the third category and comes straight from Year 11 history class. "Michael Collins plays a crucial role in the establishment of the Irish Free State in the 1920s, but becomes vilified by those hoping to create a completely independent Irish republic," says Letterboxd. Not a word on the smouldering sexual tension between Michael and his bestie Harry Boland? Say it ain't so! Over in the Pop Corner, we chat Oscars, the book Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson, Two People Exchanging Saliva, the game Book of Hours, Song Sung Blue, Arrival (2016), Woodenhead (2003), Pillion and the graphic novels Witch's Egg (Donya Todd) and Kill Six Billion Demons (Tom Bloom). We also return to our discussions of The Bride and The Testament of Ann Lee, now that more hosts have seen the films. Also, Cass presents some strong evidence to prove that Christopher Luxon is a huge F1 fan (derogatory, on both sides).

164 - Junebug 🐞🤰

It's Matt's personal pick, and in honour of the upcoming Oscars he's decided to go back to where it all began... "it" being Amy Adams' long unfinished road toward Oscar glory. On the way to meet with an independent artist in the South, newlywed art dealer Madeleine is convinced by her husband, George, that they should stop to meet his family in North Carolina. Madeleine’s affluent lifestyle clashes with the family, but she befriends George’s wide-eyed and pregnant sister-in-law, Ashley, who is nearing her due date. Through the family, Madeleine gains greater insight into George’s character. (Sourced from Letterboxd). Turns out a lot of people over on Letterboxd think this movie is really boring? Not so our three hosts, who are all in for a movie about complex family dynamics that doesn't make the same mistakes certain other films made (*cough* The Family Stone *cough*). Over in the Pop Corner we talk recent gigs (The Beths and Laneway festival), Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, the video game TR-49, The Bride (brain attack!), Sirāt, the Wellington Central Library reopening, No Other Choice, The Testament of Ann Lee, The Moment and a long discussion of the Khia Asylum. Matt and Cass also discover their mutual love of Minute Cryptic. Download that app, Baguettes, it's free!

163 - On Golden Pond 🎣 YOU OLD POOP!

It's a totemic film for Jamie, who has been working on her Katharine Hepburn impression since childhood. But truly, how many times can someone say "You old poop!" with a straight face? We (attempt) to keep a tally. For Norman and Ethel Thayer, this summer on golden pond is filled with conflict and resolution. When their daughter Chelsea arrives, the family is forced to renew the bonds of love and overcome the generational friction that has existed for years. (Sourced from Letterboxd). Over in the Pop Corner, (the Poop Corner??) we talk about: Bitter Karella's Moonflow, Francesca de Tores' Saltblood, the Godzilla-themed short films Coming Out and Gigi, the Joker as trans icon, a brand new Georges Méliès short film??, Blue Moon, the YouTube channel Musora, Bad Bunny at the Superbowl, a new Lana Del Rey single and of course Wuthering Heights after our much-hyped fundraiser viewing. If you're listening to this and you didn't see Once Upon A Time in Homowood, sorry to say you missed out – but you still have time to catch Matt's other Fringe show, Tolerance which is on this week!

162 - Saltburn 🏰

Saltburn — it's the dumb person's idea of a smart movie. Luckily we're all dummies and we are ready to LICK this salt. Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton, who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family’s sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten. (Sourced from Letterboxd). Pop corner kernels include: the Trans Theatre festival in Melbourne, the Lord of the Rings trilogy up on the big screen, Marty Supreme, The Secret Agent and Hamnet. We also share some thoughts on the Oscar nominations and take a long diversion into how tall various movie stars are. If you liked this taste of Fennell and want a little more in your life, come along to our fundraiser screening of "Wuthering Heights" on February 12th! Tickets available here [http://forms.gle/gdQLoyZRekBn45Jb6]. We're fundraising for Once Upon A Time in Homowood, our show in this year's NZ Fringe. Tickets are on sale [https://bats.co.nz/whats-on/once-upon-a-time-in-homowood/] for our 17 - 21 February season right now. See you there xx

161 - Avatar: Fire and Ash 🔥

We're back for our first real episode of 2026! We saw the Big Blue Boys again and let me tell you those returns are diminishing. In the wake of the devastating war against the RDA and the loss of their eldest son, Jake Sully and Neytiri face a new threat on Pandora: the Ash People, a violent and power-hungry Na’vi tribe led by the ruthless Varang. Jake’s family must fight for their survival and the future of Pandora in a conflict that pushes them to their emotional and physical limits. (Sourced from Letterboxd). Over in a bumper post-summer Pop Corner, we talk the video game Kinophobia, the short stories of Ursula K LeGuin, The Apartment (1960), Opening Night (1974), the Nebula original show Scav, *pant*, Hamnet (the book - movie discussion next ep!), Alison Rumfitt's Tell Me I'm Worthless, *pant*, the Odyssey, Some Of My Best Friends Are... (1971), *breathless inhale*, Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua (Two Worlds), Jay Kelly, Hedda, West Side Story (2021), Elio, Nickel Boys (2024), Roofman, Blithe Spirit (1945), *last desperate gulp of air*, If I Had Legs I'd Kick You.