Contra Zoom Pod

On this episode, Dakota is joined by Sammy Feilchenfeld to discuss video game movies! They talk about the rocky history of adaptations, do a throwback review of the very first video game movie Super Mario Brothers and …

On this episode I chat with Martha Kehoe and Joan Tosoni, directors of the new documentary Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind. The …

On this episode of Contra Zoom, we have our first interview! Benjamin Charles Watson, who will been seen on the upcoming season of Netflix's …

Welcome to the brand new iteration of the Contra Zoom podcast! We are now very proud to be presented by Aesthetic Magazine and have this welcoming home. On this debut episode, Aesthetic Magazine founder and …

Hi iTunes subscribers! Thank you so much for being loyal listeners. This is a special announcement that the show is coming back, stronger than ever with some great re-branding. Stay tuned for the first episode coming …

Despite it being March, it is finally here! The top ten films of 2018 Contra Zoom mega episode! This episode has everything including a great co-host in Stephanie, four terrific guest spots and more films mentioned than …

I know, it is more than a full week since the 91st Oscar’s aired, in which Green Book somehow won Best Picture over the far more deserving Roma, but …

To help aid with your Oscar ballot’s below is both Sammy’s picks and mine (Dakota). The order is based on how we announced them on the podcast. During the episode we also break down whom we want to win and who was …

This is the last Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom of the year, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as …

This is the second Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom of the year, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as …

This is the first Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom of the year, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as …

With the release of the Oscar nominations for the 91st Academy Awards Dakota Arsenault and Sammy Feilchenfeld discuss their first reactions to the …

Mehek Seyid joins us again to talk about the films she saw at TIFF 2018 and gave some great insight into what the landscape for the rest of this year will look like. A few weeks ago Mehek and I previewed the fest by …

In this edition of Make/Remake Dakota and Stephanie look at a unique pair of films… the exact same film cut two ways. In 1953 Italian Neorealist director Vittorio de Dica paired with David O. Selznick to make an …

According to the Toronto Star’s preview this year’s Toronto International Film Festival features 21 world premieres, seven international premieres, eight North American premieres and 11 Canadian premieres, including 13 …

The Academy Awards are changing the way their ceremony will be run in three drastic ways over the next two years. Dakota goes over the pros and cons for each of these changes.

First- The date of the ceremony will be …

On this week’s episode Dakota Arsenault is joined by Zach Sokol, host of Radio Camp Half Blood a Percy Jackson read-a long podcast. The two talk …

I’m often asking for movie recommendations both from fellow movie buffs and from people who want to expand their knowledge about cinema. After having a friend ask for a list of important films to watch I decided to put …

I’m often asking for movie recommendations both from fellow movie buffs and from people who want to expand their knowledge about cinema. After having a friend ask for a list of important films to watch I decided to put …

Dakota Arsenault and Sammy Feilchenfeld decide to revisit Sydney Lumet’s landmark debut film, 1957’s 12 Angry Men starring Henry Fonda. 

The idea for …

In the latest edition of make/remake Dakota Arsenault and Stephanie Prior talk about George Orwell’s novel 1984 and two different cinematic …

Now that 2017 is firmly in the rear view mirror Dakota Arsenault and Mehek Seyid go over their favourite films of last year. 

Dakota’s list:

10. …

On this Episode Dakota Arsenault and Sammy Feilchenfeld recap and review the 90th Academy Awards that were handed out on Sunday March 4th, with the …

Dakota Arsenault is joined by Mehek Seyid to talk about this year’s Oscar’s nominees as they make some bold predictions. They say who they think …

Dakota Arsenault is joined by Mehek Seyid to talk about this year’s Oscar’s nominees as they make some bold predictions. They say who they think …

Dakota Arsenault had the opportunity to chat with Mitchell Cushman, director of the play Jerusalem that is currently showing at Crow’s Nest Theatre …

This is the second Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom of the year, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as written articles. Last week he talked about Three Billboards Outside …

This is the first Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom of the year, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as …

Sammy Feilchenfeld joins Dakota to talk about the biggest news stories of 2017. This isn’t the usual top movie of the year podcast, but instead reflecting on the year that was and what to expect for 2018. For an amazing …

Here is part two of our Best Picture Countdown of movies that won between 1978-1987. On the last episode we ran down the bottom five films, click HERE to see the list and listen to the episode. On this episode Stephanie …

After more than a year off from continuing the Best Picture Ranking series, it is back with a vengeance! Stephanie Prior steps in to join Dakota to review the Best Picture winners from the 1978-1987 Oscars (the …

For this massive episode Sammy Feilchenfeld joins Dakota Arsenault again to talk about all things concerning the new trend of “Cinematic Universes”, …

After being out for over a month, Dakota Arsenault finally gets around to talking about the new Blade Runner 2049 movie. Sammy Feilchenfeld returns …

On this very special episode Dakota Arsenault celebrates reaching the milestone of 50 episodes! The very first one was back in April of 2015 …

The Toronto International Film Festival wrapped a few weeks ago and Mehek Seyid makes a return to Contra Zoom where she talks about the 28 (!) films she saw at this year festival. 

The films that won top honours were …

On this episode Sammy Feilchenfeld joins Dakota Arsenault as they discuss the end of the summer movie season. This episode includes talk on some …

With the recent passing of Horror legend George A. Romero, we here at Contra Zoom thought we should honour him by dedicating an episode of …

On this special episode, Dakota Arsenault is joined by Sammy Feilchenfeld as they discuss the greatest aspect of Canada- our filmmakers! 

From …

On this week’s episode Sierra Nutkevitch joins Dakota Arsenault and they talk about the latest DC film Wonder Woman directed by Patty Jenkins. In the …

This is the first episode of a new series called Make/Remake where we look at two films, an original and a remake and compare and contrast the films. It isn’t about anointing, which one is the superior film or deriding …

On this week’s episode Dakota Arsenault introduces interviews that Sierra Nutkevitch conducted at the Toronto Screenwriting Conference this year. 

• …

Rachel Gordon and Dakota Arsenault discuss the top films of 2016, even though it is now 4 months into 2017, as they needed time to digest everything. …

After all the craziness of the Oscars Dakota Arsenault and Mehek Seyid needed to talk about what transpired. 

– La La Land was accidentally named …

Just in time for your last minute Oscar pool’s Dakota Arsenault and Rachel Gordon host the second annual Contra Zoom Oscar Extravaganza! Your hosts …

Just in time for your last minute Oscar pool’s Dakota Arsenault and Rachel Gordon host the second annual Contra Zoom Oscar Extravaganza! Your hosts …

On this last episode of this year’s breakdown of the Best Picture nominated films Dakota Arsenault talks about Manchester By the Sea and Lion. On …

On this second episode of this year’s breakdown of the Best Picture nominated films Dakota Arsenault and Rachel Gordon talks about Moonlight, Fences …

On this second episode of this year’s breakdown of the Best Picture nominated films Dakota Arsenaulttalks about Hidden Figures and La La Land. On …

This is the first Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakotadoes every year, normally just as written …

Dakota Arsenault is proud to announce that Rachel Gordon will join Contra Zoom as the permanent co-host along with her new role as Associate Film …

On this mini-episode Dakota Arsenault talks to the lovely and talented Divine Brown, who is most well known for her music career but she is about to …

This week Dakota is joined by Rachel Gordon to talk about the passing of TIFF founder Bill Marshall, who sadly passed away at the age of 77 on January 1st, 2017. 

Dakota and Rachel share some great quotes and stories …

On this episode the guys start talk about the forth edition of their Best Picture Winners revisits. The years are 1968-1977 (the 40th-49th Oscar winners).

In Part One the guys reveal their bottom five of the decade.

10. 

This week Dakota Arsenault is joined by special guest Rachel Gordon as they talk about their favourite movies you should watch during the Halloween …

Mehek Seyid joins Dakota and Andreas this week as they discuss the Toronto International Film Festival including the big winners and some other must sees.

Links:

– La La Land was the big winner taking home the People’s …

On this episode the guys start talk about the forth edition of their Best Picture Winners revisits. The years are 1968-1977 (the 40th-49th Oscar winners).

Our photographer Katrina Lat joins us to talk about her …

Even though Dakota Arsenault and Andreas Babiolakis are currently prepping for their proper return to Contra Zoom, it is only fitting for them to …

Dakota Arsenault and Andreas Babiolakis review the new film X-Men: Apocalypse. In the end the guys think the film is good, but not great and nowhere …

This is the third year in a row that Live in Limbo has attended the Toronto Screenwriting Conference and the second year that Contra Zoom has done a pod and interviews on the great weekend. Here you can listen to last …

This is the third year in a row that Live in Limbo has attended the Toronto Screenwriting Conference and the second year that Contra Zoom has done a pod and interviews on the great weekend. Here you can listen to last …

This week Dakota Arsenault is joined by a special guest in Mehek Seyid to talk about some of the films we are most excited to see.

April

– Sing Street

On this episode the guys start talk about the forth edition of their Best Picture Winners revisits. The years are 1958-1967 (the 30th– 39th Oscar winners). You can find Edition 3 HERE and Part 2 of it HERE. 

Katrina …

While it is March, the guys finally get around to discussing their ten favourite films of last year. Mehek Seyid who is just as passionate about movies as Dakota and Andreas joins them. Andreas moderates this episode as …

This week Dakota and Andreas go over their thoughts on the 88th Oscars. From Chris Rock’s hosting to the nights big winners and losers, the guys cover it all.

On the last episode Dakota, Andreas and special guest Dasha …

In part 2 of our third annual Oscar Extravaganza Dakota and Andreas are joined yet again by Dasha Peregoudova to lend her expert opinion.

Our expert picks are at the bottom, look for Andreas’ post Oscar reaction’s early …

Our Oscar Extravaganza podcast used to be held over at Capsule the last few years and we are excited to have it return to the permanent home of …

This is the third Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as written …

This is the second Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as written …

Who cares that Star Wars: The Force Awakens came out way back in December! Dakota and Andreas give a review for what will end up being the first of second highest grossing film of all time! The guys really enjoyed the …

This is the first Oscar Primer podcast for Contra Zoom, continuing the series of Oscar Primer’s Dakota does every year, normally just as written …

This week Dakota and Andreas go over the just announced Oscar nominations. 

The guys talk about the films with the most nominations including The Revenant with 12, Mad Max: Fury Road with 10 and The Martian with 7. They …

*So I totally realized, that there never was an episode 11 and that makes everything out of whack, so this is actually episode 11. Enjoy!*

On this episode the guys continue their talk about the third edition of their …

On this episode the guys start talk about the third edition of their Best Picture Winners revisits. The years are 1948-1957 (the 20th– 29th Oscar winners). You can find Edition 1 here and Edition 2 here and Part 2 here. 

TIFF is in its 40th year.

Andreas and Dakota (mostly Andreas though) covered a bunch of TIFF films including Love, Stonewall, Lolo, Room and more. …

Your hosts Dakota Arsenault and Andreas Babiolakis were lucky to enough to see a screening of Rebecca hosted by the legendary film director Guillermo …

Continuing on from our Best Picture Winner decade-by-decade breakdown from last week’s part 1 Dakota Arsenault and Andreas Babiolakis count down the …

This week we started a new feature where Live in Limbo’s mastermind Sean Chin joined us to talk about his three favourite movies.

– Shawshank Redemption

– 2001: A Space Odyssey

– A.I. Artificial Intelligence

The bottom …

For this week’s episode Dakota and Andreas discuss the finale for Mad Men and what the series as a whole meant to them and the landscape of …

In this episode Dakota and Andreas review the new Marvel movie Avengers: Age of Ultron and then rank all 11 Marvel Cinematic Universe films from worst to best. The discussions touch upon casting, scripts, direction, …

This week Dakota Arsenault and Andreas Babiolakis turn the tables a bit regarding subject matter and discuss a play called Mr. Burns a Post Electric …

This week Dakota Arsenault and Andreas Babiolakis talk about the Toronto Screenwriter’s Conference, a yearly get together where the greatest script …

Hey everyone, this is the debut episode for our brand new film podcast Contra Zoom! Hosts Dakota Arsenault and Andreas Babiolakis take on a massive …