In celebration of Christopher Nolan's new film Tenet coming out later this summer, we thought we would rank all ten of Nolan's previous films from worst to best. We briefly discuss his earliest available work, the short film Doodlebug as well. View Dakota's own rankings on Letterboxd . This is the first entry into a new series where we look at the complete or partial filmographies of directors and discuss their films. Send us an email contrazoompod@gmail.com to recommend future directors to cove...
Jul 13, 2020•1 hr 27 min•Season 6Ep. 14
This week it is Dakota Arsenault's birthday! To help celebrate he names one movie per year that make up who he is as a film lover. View the entire list on Letterboxd , and send in your picks for a movie per year! Dakota of course can't count very well and actually 31 movies, but don't hold that over him. Listen to Contra Zoom on Anchor , Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Google Play , Overcast , RadioPublic , Breaker , Podcast Addict and more! Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, or where...
Jul 06, 2020•25 min•Season 6Ep. 13
On this episode Royce Benson returns after guesting on the Top Ten A24 Films, as we discuss how we are consuming media during quarantine life. That includes what new movies we've been watching and oldies we've made time for, our favourite 2020 releases so far, how Jurassic Park beat out Jaws to top the box office, when TENET will be released along with the gradual reopening of theatres , and what the future of cinema holds when things get back to normal. Listen to Contra Zoom on Anchor , Apple P...
Jun 29, 2020•49 min•Season 6Ep. 12
On June 27th is Global Pride Day and we are celebrating with our favourite queer films. Sammy Feilchenfeld joins the show as we discuss our recommendations for L, G, B, T and Q+ works of art and representation and depictions of queer people in media. Lesbian Films Mulholland Drive, Carol, The Kids Are All Right, The Handmaiden, Aniara, The Favourite and Booksmart Gay Films Call Me By Your Name, Brokeback Mountain, My Own Private Idaho, Love Simon, Boy Erased, Beginners, The Birdcage, A Single Ma...
Jun 22, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Season 6Ep. 11
On this episode artists Sébastien Heins , Tony Ofori and Jerome Jarvis join the show to discuss the new Spike Lee joint, Da 5 Bloods that was released on Netflix on Friday June 12th. In the second half of the show artist Mouna Traoré joins the group as they have a roundtable discussion to talk about some of their favourite black films. List of Notable Black Films Do The Right Thing Chi-Raq Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood The Color Purple Join Contra Zoom ...
Jun 15, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 6Ep. 10
On this episode we review a selection of films that were selected to air during the 2020 Hot Docs, the premiere Canadian documentary festival based out of Toronto. Unfortunately due to COVID-19, they had to pivot and offered screenings of their films to people at home, thus birthing Hot Docs at Home. Nathan Sizemore and Katey Cottrill from the horror movie podcast I Hope You Suffer join the show to discuss Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist . Later on music fan Alex Burke comes on t...
Jun 08, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 6Ep. 9
On Part 2 of our A24 features, Royce Benson joins the show to help rank the top ten films A24 has distributed. If you missed Part 1 (A History of A24 Films), which covered the history of the company make sure you listen first. We also reveal the results of our A24 survey we posted on Reddit. Follow Royce on Letterboxd . Dakota's full A24 rankings and Royce's full rankings . Top 10 Films (Dakota's picks come first, then Royce's) 10. 20th Century Women / Locke 9. Enemy / Midsommar 8. The Lobster /...
Jun 01, 2020•1 hr 29 min•Season 6Ep. 8
A24 Films was founded in 2013 has been the home to some of the best cinema this decade. They have won countless awards including Best Picture for Moonlight and had critical and commercial hits with the likes of Lady Bird, Uncut Gems, Ex Machina, Midsommar, The Witch, Greenroom and The Lobster. We trace the companies origins, their early years, breakthroughs and ups and downs. This is a two part event, so stay tuned to the next episode were we rank A24's best releases. Listen to Contra Zoom on An...
May 25, 2020•32 min•Season 6Ep. 7
In this episode, Bruce Franks Jr. a twice elected representative for the Missouri Legislature, an activist who works with the Community Justice Action Fund , a successful battle rapper and the star of the Oscar nominated documentary short film St. Louis Superman joins Dakota. They talk about his inspirations for activism, why he allowed a film crew to document his story, learning about being nominated for an Oscar and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Mark Ruffalo. St. Louis Superman airs on M...
May 17, 2020•20 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Continuing the long running series chronicling every Best Picture winner and ranking them decade by decade, Dakota is joined by Stephanie Prior to break down the winners from 1998-2007. On this episode they countdown numbers 5-1 to finish off the decade. If you missed Part 1, click HERE to listen. Timestamps 0:00-2:00 Recap 2:00-11:00 Shakespeare in Love 11:00-20:00 Gladiator 20:00-29:00 The Departed 29:00-37:00 No Country For Old Men 37:00-44:00 Chicago Listen to Contra Zoom on Anchor , Apple P...
May 11, 2020•53 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Continuing the long running series chronicling every Best Picture winner and ranking them decade by decade, Dakota is joined by Stephanie Prior to break down the winners from 1998-2007. On this episode they countdown numbers 10-6 with part 2 coming out in two weeks to finish off the decade. Timestamps 10. Crash 2:00-9:00 9. Million Dollar Baby 9:00-17:00 8. A Beautiful Mind 17:00-24:00 7. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 24:00-35:00 6. American Beauty 35:00-44:00 Listen to Contra Zoom o...
Apr 27, 2020•45 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Make/Remake examines how two films that share the same story. It isn't about what film was better or worse, but how they are similar and different while following the same arcs. In this episode we look at James Whale's 1933 film The Invisible Man and Leigh Whannell's 2020 remake The Invisible Man . Both films tell the story of a man who discovers how to make himself invisible through science and the disastrous, and deadly consequences it has on other people. Joining Dakota this episode is Calum ...
Apr 13, 2020•38 min•Season 6Ep. 3
On the last episode we covered the most anticipated films of 2020, not even two weeks later but everything scheduled before the summer either has been pushed back or announced it will be released directly to own or stream, bypassing cinemas entirely. COVID-19 has wrecked havoc on the world, and unfortunately the movie industry is no different. Sammy Feilchenfeld joins as talk about movies that have delayed releases, films that are halting production and what this all means for blockbusters this ...
Mar 30, 2020•52 min•Season 6Ep. 2
We finally close the chapter on season 5 and of 2019, as we movie on to talk about the most anticipated films coming out this year. Due to the coronavirus, some film releases have already been pushed back, while others are very likely to be moved as well. So please understand that this episode might eventually become just a films I'm looking forward too, but might not be out anytime soon. Listen to Contra Zoom on Anchor , Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Google Play , Overcast , RadioPublic , Breaker ...
Mar 16, 2020•45 min•Season 6Ep. 1
We are finally ready to close the book on 2019 with out best films of the year. Stephanie joins me this week to count down our ten best. Dakota's list: 10. Corpus Christi 9. Little Women 8. Pain & Glory 7. Uncut Gems 6. Jojo Rabbit 5. Knives Out 4. The Two Popes 3. 1917 2. One Upon a Time in... Hollywood 1. The Last Black Man in San Fransisco Special thanks to Curtis Sindrey from Aesthetic Magazine, Eric and Sandra Duggan from First Round Flick, Paulo Bautista from Filmography in Focus and H...
Mar 02, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 5Ep. 24
Contra Zoom Pod is celebrating it's 100th episode! To help wrap up Oscar season, Dakota interviews the Oscars Death Race Podcast host Paulo Bautista. They chat about watching all 53 nominated films, their most and least favourite flicks and what it is like being a part of a community that punishes themselves every year to complete the race. What is the Oscars Death Race? Dakota also thanks people involved in the show, both past and present and sets up the new season that will begin shortly. List...
Feb 17, 2020•39 min•Season 5Ep. 23
On this episode Dakota is joined by film critic Thom Ernst, who you will likely know him from TVO’s Saturday Night at the Movies, the podcast This Movies About You and his written work from Original Cin. The two recap the 92nd Academy Awards including their thoughts on the winners, the loser, the musical numbers and the speeches. Make sure you follow Thom on Twitter and look for his reviews on Original Cin . Listen to Contra Zoom on Anchor , Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Google Play , Overcast , Ra...
Feb 11, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 5Ep. 22
The 92nd Academy Awards air on Sunday February 9th and Dakota and Stephanie go over every category of who they think will win, and who they want to win. Make sure you listen to the episode where we broke down the Best Picture nominees in Part 1 and Part 2 . If you haven't already checked out the Oscar Nominations Reactions episode, do so too! Make sure you stay subscribed to the show because there will be more great Oscar content after the broadcast! Listen to Contra Zoom on Anchor , Apple Podca...
Feb 06, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 21
There are nine Best Picture nominees and over the last two episodes we broke down each film's nominations and the odds they have on winning them to help you with your Oscar Pools or just to be better informed. On this episode we cover 1917, Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood, Marriage Story, Parasite and Ford v Ferrari. This episode does not contain spoilers. Make sure you listen to the episode where we broke down Joker, The Irishman, Jojo Rabbit and Little Women . If you haven't already checked o...
Jan 28, 2020•42 min•Season 5Ep. 20
There are nine Best Picture nominees and over the next two episodes we will break down each film's nominations and the odds they have on winning them to help you with your Oscar Pools or just to be better informed. On this episode we cover Joker , The Irishman , Jojo Rabbit and Little Women . This episode does not contain spoilers. Stay tuned for next week where we break down 1917, Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood, Marriage Story, Parasite and Ford v Ferrari. If you haven't already checked out t...
Jan 20, 2020•42 min•Season 5Ep. 19
The 2020 Oscar nominations are now out! Every year Contra Zoom Pod dedicates the lead up and subsequent aftermath of the show to discuss and dissect everything related to the awards ceremony. On this episode Dakota is joined by Sammy Feilchenfeld and Stephanie Prior to talk about the nominations. They go over each category and talk about any surprises, snubs and what they think about the group. The trio also made a prediction about what they think will be the final nominees for Best Picture. To ...
Jan 14, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Season 5Ep. 18
This episode of Contra Zoom is ten years in the making! Join us as we count down the 50 best films of the 2010's. On part two we go through films 25 through 1. To make things more fun there are a ton of special guests (too many to name) to give their takes on why these films are important. If you haven't listened to part 1 yet , please do so first! Listen to Contra Zoom on Anchor , Apple Podcasts , Spotify , RadioPublic , Podcast Addict and more on the way! Thank you Eric and Kevin Smale for cre...
Dec 30, 2019•39 min•Season 5Ep. 17
This episode of Contra Zoom is ten years in the making! Join us as we count down the 50 best films of the 2010's. On part one we go through the bottom half of the list. To make things more fun there are a ton of special guests (too many to name) to give their takes on why these films are important. Stay tuned as the top 25 will be revealed on December 31st! Listen to Contra Zoom on Anchor , Apple Podcasts , Spotify , RadioPublic , Podcast Addict and more on the way! Thank you Eric and Kevin Smal...
Dec 17, 2019•41 min•Season 5Ep. 16
On this episode Dakota Arsenault and Stephanie Prior talk about the movies that are the early frontrunners to be nominated and potentially win big at this year's Oscar's. First they run through films they have seen like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, My Name is Dolemite and Parasite, then later they talk about movies either not out yet or just ones they haven't seen like Marriage Story, The Irishman and 1917. Also in the show Dakota chats with Colin Mercer, the creator and show runner for Game T...
Dec 03, 2019•1 hr 31 min•Season 5Ep. 15
Make/Remake examines how two films that share the same story. It isn't about what film was better or worse, but how they are similar and different while following the same arcs. In this episode we look at Gilles Mimouni's 1996 film L'Appartement and Paul McGuigan's 2004 remake Wicker Park . Both films tell the story of a young man who thinks he see's his ex-girlfriend and starts to follow her to find out why their relationship had ended years earlier, but along the way suspicious things keep pop...
Nov 19, 2019•40 min•Season 5Ep. 14
The new streaming service Disney+ launches in Canada, the United States and the Netherlands on November 12th. With the release just days away Sammy Feilchenfeld comes on the show to talk about how the platform will work, which titles are available, pricing and more. They then discuss some anticipated shows and movies on the platform including The Mandalorian, The World According to Jeff Goldblum and Monsters at Work. For a discussion of the Marvel offerings, listen to the All Things MCU episode ...
Nov 05, 2019•53 min•Season 5Ep. 13
On this episode Dakota Arsenault is joined by Stephanie Prior to talk about some classic horror movies that you can check out this Halloween season. All the picks can be found on The Criterion Channel for ease of viewing. Also as an added bonus friend of the show Calum McNab who hosts SCARETRODUCING, a horror themed podcast leaves his top 5 picks for under rated scary films you should check out. Here are the movies Dakota and Stephanie talk about: 1. Godzilla 2. The Blob 3. The Haunted Strangler...
Oct 22, 2019•51 min•Season 5Ep. 12
Wrapping up our Toronto International Film Festival 2019 coverage, I got a chance to speak with film composers David Wingo (The Report), Joel P West (Just Mercy) and Trevor Gureckis (The Goldfinch). All three conversations involve where they get inspiration from, how they collaborate with their directors and what their creative process is like. The Report , directed by Scott Z Burns, comes out on Amazon Prime on November 15th. Just Mercy , directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, comes out in theatres...
Oct 08, 2019•1 hr 16 min•Season 5Ep. 11
We here at Contra Zoom Pod got a chance to check out some films that played at the Toronto International Film Festival this year. Listen to us talk about Jojo Rabbit, The Laundromat, Harriet, There's Something in the Water and No Crying at the Dinner Table. We also talk about Digital releases not receiving press screenings, Oscar hopefuls and the People's Choice winning films. If you haven't listened to the last episode where I interview Carol Nguyen and Craig Prater about their TIFF experiences...
Sep 24, 2019•53 min•Season 5Ep. 10
On this special episode of Contra Zoom, we have two interviews in this packed episode. First off I speak with Carol Nguyen, a Toronto filmmaker who is having her latest short film No Crying at the Dinner Table premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. We talk about dealing with family trauma, representation in cinema and getting to screen her film in front of family and friends. The second interview is with Craig Prater, President of Heartland Film , a non-profit organization who has ...
Sep 10, 2019•38 min•Season 5Ep. 9
