Listen Now

On this episode, Kate Wilkinson (Wig Wurq)  joins me to discuss the 1986 Disney Sunday Night Movie, The Richest Cat in the World. Leo the cat inherits 5 million dollars, and some people will stop at nothing to get their hands on it. (Well, except, you know, taking care of the cat and being it's guardian, the easiest way)  This episode's shelter shout-out goes to Brooklyn Animal Action! Go show them some love.  Other links discussed in this episode: Newspaper article about Leo's trainer 2015 listing of the richest animals 2018 listing of the richest animals

On this episode, Ollie Brady (Best Acquaintances, Media-eval)  joins me to discuss 2013's Riddick. The third installment in the Riddick franchise, this film features a CGI alien dog that shows Riddick unconditional love. Who knew a CGI dog would bring out the best acting of Vin Diesel's career?! This episode's shelter shout-out goes to Sligo Animal Rescue! Go show them some love.  Other links discussed in this episode: Best Acquaintances on Facebook The blog about Riddick's dog Interview with Alain Lachance

*There is a TW for this episode, as one of the films deals with sexual assault and we discuss this. It's two for the price of one on this episode!  Christopher Funderberg (The Pink Smoke) joins me as we look back on 2016, a big year for films featuring both cats and Isabelle Huppert.   First, we tackle Things to Come (dir. Mia Hansen-Løve), a tale about a passionate middle-aged philosophy professor who rethinks her already much-examined life after an unforeseen divorce. Then, we move on to Elle (dir. Paul Verhoeven). In this film, we see Huppert as a successful CEO of a video game company searching to learn the identity of the man who raped her. This episode's shelter shout-out goes to Korean K9 Rescue! Go show them some love.  Other links discussed in this episode: * Isabelle Huppert: A Force of nature on feminism, cats & Elle  

On this episode, Chico Leo joins me to discuss 1975's A Boy and His Dog.  Based on the Harlan Ellison novella, the film tells the tale of a teenage Don Johnson and his telepathic dog in a post-apocalypse world. There is a TW for this episode, as the film deals with sexual assault and we discuss this. This episode's shelter shout-out goes to Muddy Paws! Go show them some love.  Other links discussed in this episode: A Boy and His Dog: The Final Solution by Joanna Russ Roger Ebert's 1976 review of the film Film Reject's article about film commentary    

On this episode, Micheal Cinneli joins me to discuss 1987's Project X.  Matthew Broderick follows up his success of Ferris Beuller's Day Off with this tale of chimpanzees and secret government testing. We decided to pair this film with 2011's Project Nim, a documentary about the life of Nim, a chimp that was taught sign language.   It's an extra long episode, and we both almost start to cry at points, but this may be the most eye opening episode on how animals are treated in Hollywood.  This episode's shelter shout-out goes to Project Chimps! Go show them some love.  Other links discussed in this episode: Primarily Primates (where the chimp who played Virgil went to live) Animals Harmed in Movies? (article discussing the American Humane Association) Blog post about the history of the chimps from Project X  

On this episode, Mark Young joins me to discuss 1989's K9. The buddy-cop-dog movie that earns its PG-13 rating, and is not really made for children.  Coming out within three months of the better known Turner & Hooch, does K9 hold its own? We try to figure it out. This episode's shelter shout-out goes to Mission K9 Rescue! Go show them some love.    Go find Mark on the internet at Cinephile City.

On this episode, Phil Gonzales joins me to discuss 1991's Silence of the Lambs. Hannibal Lecter? Who's that? We're here to discuss Precious, the adorable little dog that Buffalo Bill owns.  We also dive into the cats, moths, and even the lambs of the film.   This episode's shelter shout-out goes to Happy Trails Animal Sanctuary! Go show them some love. Other links discussed in the show: *Wendy's article on The Pink Smoke *BBC article "The Sinister Moth from Silence of the Lambs can squeak" *Humane Society's report on Silence of the Lambs. *Op-Ed: Only a cat beat Hannibal Lecter of 'The Silence of the Lambs'   Go listen to Phil on all three of his podcasts: *Deep in Bear Country *It's Del Toro Time *KlickItCast

**WARNING**  I'm a doofus and left a window open somewhere in my apartment while recording this. There is a LOUD train noise every 10mins or so. Sorry for this mistake, please bear with me On this episode, Gena Radcliffe (Kill by Kill podcast) joins me to discuss the 1978 made-for-tv movie, Devil Dog: Hound of Hell. Richard Crenna stars and Curtis Harrington directs this tale of a family pet possessed by the devil.   This episode's shelter shout-out once again goes to Sean Casey animal rescue! Go show them some love.  

On this episode, Amanda Iman (Amanda's Picture A Go-Go) joins me to discuss 1994's Andre.  We dive into the history of the real Andre, and the sea lions that protrayed him in the film.   This episode's shelter shout-out goes to Colony Cats! Go show them some love. Other links discussed in the show: *Buzzfeed article "Whatever Happened to the seal from Andre?" *"25 Years with Andre" *PBS show 'My Wild Affair'

On this episode, Mark Freado Jr. (Spectacle Theater) joins me to discuss The Secret of Magic Island.   Jean Tourane was a French filmmaker and artist that worked almost exclusively with live animals.  In 1957, he released The Secret of Magic Island, his first feature length film. Mark and I discuss all things Jean Tourane, including his children's television series, Saturnin, which was later edited into Dynamo Duck for Fox Kids.  Come for the tale of the little duck that could, stay for the terrible French accents we provide. This episode's shelter shoutout goes to Sean Casey Animal Rescue!  Go show them some love. Other links discussed in this episode: The Secret of Magic Island - the full film on YouTube! The Spectacle Theater's Etsy shop - full of amazing movie posters

On this episode, Hannah from the Film Roast podcast joins me to discuss Best in Show.  The 2001 Christopher Guest mockumentary about the dog show circuit.  Our challenge this episode, was talking about a film that had no professional dog actors! All the dogs in the film were actual show dogs. This episode's shelter shoutout goes to 1 Love Dog Rescue in Auburn, CA!  Go show them some love.

After a few month's hiatus, I'm back! On this episode, Andrew Swafford from Cinematary joins me to discuss 2015's The Witch.  When The Witch was release back in 2015, a new internet sensation was born in the form of Black Phillip.  In this episode, we not only take an in-depth look at Black Phillip, but we also talk about how all the animals in film were used.   Links discussed in this episode: Black Phillips Twitter account The Gentle Barn 

On this episode, Meghan Griffin (Judging Book Covers & Fableulous Retelling podcasts) joins me to discuss 2007's St. Trinians.  Based on a series of cartoons by Ronald Searle, and the films of the 1950s, St. Trinians centers around a girl's boarding school where the students rule the school. The film stars Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, and, of course, Dolly the dog. Links discussed in this episode: Mostly Mutts Animal Shelter Sean Casey Animal Rescue The Fido Awards

On this episode, Kristen Lopez from Ticklish Business joins me to discuss all things Cat People.  Val Lewton's 1942 masterpiece tells the story of a young Serbian woman, haunted by family curse that turns her into a panther under certain circustances.   Links discussed in this episode: Journeys in Classic Film Front Street Animal Shelter

On this episode, Courtney from Chicks with Flicks joins me to discuss one of the best dog actors of all time, Jed from The Thing. Not since Jones from Alien has an animal been so closely tied to a franchise. There is no The Thing without Jed. Links discussed in this episode: Second Chance Animal Sanctuary Safe Haven Animal Rescue WildCare Foundation

In this episode, Mariela Azcuy (Univision) and producer Autumn Tarleton join me to discuss 2010's Beginners.  Written and directed by Mike Mills, Beginners tells the story of Oliver (Ewan McGregor), a man dealing with loss and loneliness.  The story jumps around in time to include Oliver's childhood, his father's coming out as gay and dying of cancer, and a new romance in his life.  Most importantly, the film features an adorable scamp of a dog, Arthur.   BONUS: This episode also features an interview with my mother. Links discuss in this episode: Sea Bird Sanctuary North Shore Animal League  

March monkey madness continues!  In this episode, John Cribbs of The Pink Smoke joins me to discuss the ultimate killer monkey-butler film, Link. ​ Links discussed in this episode: Columbia-Greene Humane Society

In this episode, Barry Champlain (co-host of Mouth Feel) joins me to discuss everyone's favorite orangutan, Clyde, from 1978's Every Which Way But Loose. Links discussed in this episode: Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society

In this episode, guest Lucas Smith joins me to discuss the 1972 film, The Doberman Gang.  A film about a talented animal trainer who uses a pack of Dobermans to commit a bank robbery.  Based on a true story! (just kidding) Links discussed in this episode: Brooklyn Animal Action

In this episode, Professor Geoff Klock joins me to discuss the 2014 film Winter's Tale, the supernatural-fantasy-mystery-romantic drama film and fable based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Mark Helprin. Links discussed in this episode: Big Cat Animal Rescue Listo, star of Winter's Tale