Episode Categories: <span>Animated</span>

How to Train Your Dragon

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Posted: May 31, 2025

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:18:01 — 53.9MB)

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

On the Viking Isle of Berk, young Hiccup defies tradition by befriending a dragon named Toothless. When an ancient threat endangers both dragons and humans, their bond becomes the key to survival. Together, they must rise above fear and forge a new path toward peace and leadership.

Craig, Elisabeth and Guest Rob Ervin discuss parenting, the Minions, finding your place and the movie “How to Train your Dragon” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!!!

Show Notes

  • 1:05

    Craig, Elisabeth and Rob talk about cartoons and The Minions.

  • 19:32

    Craig, Elisabeth and Rob discuss “How to Train Your Dragon”

  • 46:22

    Recasting

  • 1:04:36

    Double Feature

  • 1:08:17

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:15:03

    A preview of next week’s episode “The Conversation”

Next week we celebrate June Hackman! An entire month dedicated to Gene Hackman and we start with “The Conversation”

Kung Fu Panda

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Posted: May 24, 2025

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:18:18 — 54.1MB)

KUNG FU PANDA

Po may be the laziest, clumsiest panda in the Valley of Peace, but he secretly dreams of becoming a kung fu legend. When the villainous snow leopard Tai Lung threatens the Valley, Po is unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Under Master Shifu’s training, he embarks on a high-kicking adventure to stop Tai Lung’s evil plans.

Craig, Elisabeth and guest Riley Brown discuss fanboys, self-belief vs destiny, cryptic mentors and the movie “Kung Fu Panda” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 0:54

    Craig, Elisabeth and Riley talk about cartoons and fandoms.

  • 12:30

    Craig, Elisabeth and Riley discuss “Kung Fu Panda”

  • 48:56

    Recasting

  • 1:07:15

    Double Feature

  • 1:11:14

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:15:36

    A preview of next week’s episode “How to Train Your Dragon”

Next week Ani-MAY-tion ends with a fan favorite “How to Train Your Dragon”

Akira

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Posted: May 17, 2025

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:14:51 — 52.2MB)

AKIRA

In the ruins of Neo-Tokyo, a secret military experiment unravels when a psychic child escapes confinement. His breakout pulls a rebellious biker gang into a deadly conspiracy of government control and psychic warfare. One gang member, transformed by power and rage, wages a brutal vendetta against the world that once mocked his weakness.

Craig, Elisabeth and Alan talk about anime, Louis Anderson, films to watch high and the movie “Akira” on this week’s Matinee heroes!

Show Notes

  • 1:07

    Craig, Elisabeth and Alan talk about the cartoons Alan grew up watching.

  • 6:14

    Craig, Elisabeth and Alan discuss “Akira”

  • 32:46

    Recasting

  • 59:04

    Double Feature

  • 1:06:41

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:13:28

    A preview of next week’s episode “Kung Fu Panda”

Next week Ani-MAY-tion continues with a modern classic “Kung Fu Panda”

Fantastic Mr. Fox

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Posted: May 10, 2025

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:44:31 — 72.1MB)

FANTASTIC MR. FOX

After years of playing it safe, Mr. Fox breaks a promise to his wife and returns to his wild ways, stealing from the ruthless farmers Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. His actions put his family and their animal friends in danger, forcing them to hide deep underground. Now, Mr. Fox must use all his cleverness to outsmart the farmers and save his community.

Craig and Elisabeth are joined by Movies that Make Us hosts Tracy Mangum and Jake Dietz to discuss quirkiness, Wes Anderson, sex shops and “Fantastic Mr. Fox” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 1:04

    Craig, Elisabeth, Tracy Mangum and Jake Dietz talk about the cartoons Jake’s kids enjoy.

  • 14:41

    Craig, Elisabeth, Tracy and Jake discuss “Fantastic Mr. Fox”

  • 51:33

    Recasting

  • 1:27:44

    Double Feature

  • 1:32:21

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:42:57

    A preview of next week’s episode “Akira”

Next week Ani-MAY-tion gets retro with the classic 80’s anime “Akira”

Chicken Run

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Posted: May 3, 2025

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:37 — 44.7MB)

CHICKEN RUN

When a flashy American rooster struts into the coop, the hens think he might just be their ticket to freedom. But when the farmers roll in a chicken-pie making machine, escaping becomes a lot more urgent—and they’ll have to hatch a new plan to get out alive. Time is running out, and the flock will need brains, bravery, and a little bit of luck to pull off the ultimate breakout.

Craig and Elisabeth talk about rural business plans, deceptive fowls, 90s cartoons and the movie “Chicken Run” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 1:19

    Craig and Elisabeth talk about the cartoons they watched as kids.

  • 9:44

    Craig and Elisabeth discuss “Chicken Run”

  • 37:25

    Recasting

  • 53:12

    Double Feature

  • 55:25

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:01:55

    A preview of next week’s episode “The Fantastic Mr. Fox”

Next week Ani-MAY-tion gets extra quirky with Wes Anderson’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox”.

The Call of the Wild

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Posted: December 21, 2024

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:26:05 — 59.4MB)

THE CALL OF THE WILD

Uprooted from his pampered life in California, the oversized dog Buck finds himself in the harsh Alaskan Yukon during the 1890s Gold Rush. As part of a mail delivery sled team, he faces a life of hardship and survival. When Buck meets Thornton, a loner-turned-adventurer, it’s clear that the two are destined to experience the adventure of a lifetime.

Craig, Elisabeth and guest Brendan Agnew talk “sad dad” Harrison Ford, our own awesome dogs, holiday movies for Marion and the movie “The Call of the Wild” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 1:11

    Craig, Elisabeth and Brendan Agnew from “Make Me Watch It” talk about the holiday season.

  • 9:56

    Craig, Elisabeth and Brenda discuss “The Call of the Wild”

  • 55:33

    Recasting

  • 1:13:35

    Double Feature

  • 1:18:03

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:23:44

    A preview of next week’s episode “Babe”

Next week, we say Happy Holidays and ring in the New Year with “Babe”

Paddington 2

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Posted: December 7, 2024

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:19:19 — 54.7MB)

PADDINGTON 2

Paddington, happily living with the Brown family, is a beloved community member who spreads joy and marmalade everywhere he goes. One day, he finds the perfect gift for his aunt’s 100th birthday — a pop-up book in an antique shop. But when the book is stolen, Paddington sets out on a daring quest to catch the thief before Aunt Lucy’s celebration.

Craig, Elisabeth and guest Tracy Mangum discuss sentencing book thieves, Sebastian Stan stanning, Elisabeth’s first show as permanent host and the movie “Paddington 2” on this week’s Matinee Heroes.

Show Notes

  • 1:06

    Craig, Elisabeth and Tracy from Movies That Make Us talk about the holiday season.

  • 14:34

    Craig, Elisabeth and Tracy discuss “Paddington 2”

  • 39:18

    Recasting

  • 1:04:20

    Double Feature

  • 1:09:31

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:15:53

    A preview of next week’s episode “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”

Next week, the holiday season ball keeps rolling with another all-time favorite “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

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Posted: August 17, 2024

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:31:35 — 63.2MB)

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

As war sweeps through the galaxy, the Jedi Knights, including Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, fight against the dark side, led by Count Dooku, in order to maintain freedom and restore peace to the galaxy in this action-packed series

Craig and special guest co-host Rob Ervin talk a Rebels reunion, top billing, Retro Expo and the movie “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” on this Live edition of Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 0:47

    Craig and guest co-host Rob Ervin discuss their favorite Star Wars Rebels character.

  • 5:30

    Craig and Rob discuss “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”

  • 20:17

    Recasting

  • 36:08 

    Double Feature

  • 40:43

    Final Thoughts

  • 42:54

    Craig’s exclusive interview with Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano), Taylor Gray (Ezra Bridger), Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker), Vanessa Marshall (Hera Syndulla), Catherine Taber (Padmé Amidala), James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Tiya Sircar (Sabine Wren) from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels recorded live at Retro Expo in Plano, Texas.

  • 1:28:55

    A preview of next week’s episode “Force 10 from Navarone”

Next week is Craig’s birthday so we celebrate like we always do with another Harrison Ford movie! This one the unsung classic “Force 10 from Navarone”

The Secret of NIHM

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Posted: December 23, 2023

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:46:19 — 73.3MB)

THE SECRET OF NIHM

Mrs. Brisby is a widowed mouse who must move her children out of their home in a field before the local farmer starts plowing. Unable to leave because her son is ill, Mrs. Brisby seeks the help of nearby rats, who have heightened intelligence after being the subjects of scientific experiments. She receives an unexpected gift from the elder rat, Nicodemus but Mrs. Brisby is soon caught in a conflict among the rats, jeopardizing her mission to save her family.

Craig, Alan and guest Rob Ervin talk dark animation, Craig’s exclusive interview with Don Bluth, breaking away from Disney and the movie “The Secret of NIHM” on this holiday edition of Matinee Heroes.

Show Notes

  • 1:11

    Craig, Alan and guest Rob Ervin discuss meeting Don Bluth and his legacy.

  • 9:12

    Craig, Alan and Rob discuss “The Secret of NIHM”

  • 34:06

    Recasting

  • 46:55 

    Double Feature

  • 51:31

    Final Thoughts

  • 57:35

    Craig’s exclusive interview with Don Bluth recorded live at FanX 2023 in Salt Lake City.

  • 1:44:41

    A preview of next week’s episode “Clue: The Movie”

Next week we end the year on a mystery with a fan favorite “Clue: The Movie”

The Hobbit

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Posted: December 24, 2022

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:05 — 28.5MB)

THE HOBBIT

Craig and Alan go there and back again as they discuss movie Gollum vs animated Gollum, the lack of Tolkien in the 70s, the month of Lord of the Rings and the movie “The Hobbit” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 1:47

    Craig and Alan discuss “The Hobbit”

  • 28:47   

    10 things the Hobbit Animation Did Right and Did Wrong list

  • 27:35 

    Double Feature

  • 33:07

    Final Thoughts

Next week we end the year with a first, a live Star Trek panel with Q and Data and we talk “Star Trek: First Contact”!

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