Episode Categories: <span>Fantasy</span>

Labyrinth

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Posted: August 30, 2025

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:20 — 46.5MB)

LABYRINTH

Frustrated with her baby brother, sixteen-year-old Sarah wishes the goblins would take him away—only to have her wish granted. Given thirteen hours to navigate a fantastical labyrinth, she must journey through a maze of strange creatures and challenges to rescue him from the Goblin King.

Craig, Elisabeth and guest Derek McCaw talk about the deception of nostalgia, the power of David Bowie, post–Comic-Con chit chat and the movie “Labyrinth” On this week’s Matinee Heroes.

Show Notes

  • 0:59

    Craig, Elisabeth and Derek McCaw talk about San Diego Comic Con.

  • 6:20

    Craig, Elisabeth and Derek discuss “Labyrinth”

  • 37:48

    Recasting

  • 55:41

    Double Feature

  • 1:01:31

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:04:36

    A preview of next week’s episode “Revenge of the Sith”

September is in the air and the Matinee Heroes traditional month of rest will be all live! Pre-recorded of course. First, a live recording of “Revenge of the Sith” from Comicpalooza!

Willow

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Posted: August 16, 2025

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:38:50 — 68.1MB)

WILLOW

A young farmer is thrust into an epic quest when he’s tasked with protecting a magical child from an evil queen. Along the way, he’s joined by a roguish swordsman, fierce allies, and a touch of sorcery. Together, they face dark forces in a battle where destiny hangs in the balance.

Craig, Elisabeth and guest Paul Hitchcock talk about a young Warwick Davis, fantasy in the 80s, the reputation of reshoots and the movie “Willow” on this week’s Matinee Heroes

Show Notes

  • 1:04

    Craig, Elisabeth and Paul talk about reshoots.

  • 11:44

    Craig, Elisabeth and Paul discuss “Willow”

  • 55:56

    Recasting

  • 1:26:10

    Double Feature

  • 1:28:18

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:36:12

    A preview of next week’s episode “Air Force One”

Next week, we continue deal with a different type of fairy tale dealing with politics and the most kick-ass president ever in “Air Force One”.

Ladyhawke

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Posted: August 9, 2025

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:24:22 — 58.3MB)

LADYHAWKE

After escaping a dungeon, young thief Phillipe Gaston crosses paths with Capt. Navarre, a man bound by a strange curse. He and his beloved, Lady Isabeau, have been doomed by the wicked Bishop of Aquila to never be together except at twilight. With Gaston’s help, they set out on a perilous mission to overthrow the Bishop and shatter the enchantment.

Craig and Elisabeth are joined by birthday boy Alan to talk about being 56, a Comicpalooza recap, horrible scores and the movie “Ladyhawke’ on this week’s Matinee Birthday!

Show Notes

  • 1:17

    Craig, Elisabeth and Alan talk about Comicpalooza and turning 56.

  • 12:36

    Craig, Elisabeth and Alan discuss “Ladyhawke”

  • 44:52

    Recasting

  • 1:12:39

    Double Feature

  • 1:14:54

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:22:35

    A preview of next week’s episode “Willow”

Next week, we continue a month of fairytale movies with “Willow”.

Ever After

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Posted: August 2, 2025

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:13 — 39.6MB)

EVER AFTER

After her father’s death, Danielle is forced into servitude by her cruel stepmother. While her stepsisters vie for status, Danielle toils in silence—until she meets the charming Prince Henry. Their connection sparks a love that defies class and expectation.

Craig and Elisabeth talk about 90’s feminism, fairy tales, grounded fantasy and the movie “Ever After” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 1:00

    Craig and Elisabeth talk about fairy tales.

  • 5:04

    Craig and Elisabeth discuss “Ever After”

  • 26:30

    Recasting

  • 46:34

    Double Feature

  • 49:41

    Final Thoughts

  • 55:26

    A preview of next week’s episode “Ladyhawke”

Next week, we celebrate Alan’s birthday with “Ladyhawke”

The Fountain

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Posted: February 1, 2025

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:23 — 45.2MB)

THE FOUNTAIN

A man embarks on a transcendent journey through time, driven by an unrelenting quest for immortality and a desperate mission to save the woman he loves. As a 16th-century conquistador, Tomas hunts for the fabled Fountain of Youth. In the present day, he is a scientist racing against time to cure his wife’s terminal cancer. And in the 26th century, as a lone astronaut adrift in the cosmos, Tom confronts the profound mysteries of existence—life, love, and the inevitability of death.

Craig, Elisabeth, and guest Austin Vashaw discuss Elisabeth’s birthday struggles, the existential meaning of death, how not to name a monkey and the film “The Fountain” on Elisabeth’s Matinee Birthday!

Show Notes

  • 1:03

    Craig, Elisabeth and Austin Vashaw talk about Elisabeth’s birthday!

  • 12:29

    Craig, Elisabeth and Austin discuss “The Fountain”

  • 40:27

    Recasting

  • 51:42

    Double Feature

  • 58:05

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:02:50

    A preview of next week’s episode “Every Which Way but Loose”

Next week, we’re going ape over one of our favorite childhood movies that’s in no way for children “Every Which Way but Loose”

Hook

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Posted: November 30, 2024

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:18:27 — 54.2MB)

HOOK

When his young children are abducted by his old nemesis, Capt. Hook, middle-aged lawyer Peter Banning returns to his magical origins as Peter Pan. Peter must remember who he is to save the Lost Boys, re-battle Captain Hook, and reunite with his family.

Craig and Alan discuss Alan’s big announcement, movie timing, finally seeing all of Spielberg’s films and the movie “Hook” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 0:52

    Craig and Alan talk about Alan’s decision to take a brief hiatus from the podcast

  • 9:22

    Craig and Alan discuss “Hook”

  • 41:34

    Recasting

  • 1:05:24

    Double Feature

  • 1:09:39

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:16:00

    A preview of next week’s episode “Paddington 2”

Next week, the holiday season arrives with a new co-host and the movie “Paddington 2”

Pan’s Labyrinth

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Posted: July 20, 2024

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:52 — 29.0MB)

PAN’S LABYRINTH

Craig and Alan discuss horror vs fantasy, creating mythology and the movie “Pan’s Labyrinth” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Next week, we finish Monster Month with a monster hunter. Rob Ervin fills in for Alan as we do a live episode from Retro Expo with a bonus interview with Perseus himself, from Clash of the Titans, Harry Hamlin!

The Neverending Story

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Posted: December 16, 2023

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:20 — 29.3MB)

THE NEVERENDING STORY

On his way to school, Bastian ducks into a bookstore to avoid bullies. Sneaking away with a book called “The Neverending Story,” Bastian begins reading the novel about Fantasia, a fantasy land threatened by “The Nothing,” a darkness that destroys everything it touches. The kingdom needs the help of a human child to survive. When Bastian reads a description of himself in the book, he begins to wonder if Fantasia is real and needs him to survive.

Craig and guest co-host Brendan Agnew talk about kid movie influences, nihilism in children’s tales, horse trauma and the movie “The Neverending Story” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 1:24

    Craig and guest co-host Brendan Agnew talk about movies they grew up with.

  • 10:29

    Craig and Brendan discuss “The Neverending Story”

  • 31:39 

    Double Feature

  • 36:06

    Final Thoughts

  • 39:45

    A preview of next week’s episode “The Secret of NIHM”

The 80’s kids movies continue with a special FanX panel with Craig and Don Bluth, creator of  “Secret of NIHM”

Dragonslayer

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Posted: April 1, 2023

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:04 — 41.5MB)

DRAGONSLAYER

A horrifying fire-breathing dragon terrorizes the sixth-century British countryside. The only hope for the beleaguered citizens is Ulrich, an aging sorcerer. But when Ulrich is killed, the task to confront the dragon falls to the wizard’s apprentice, Galen whose mission is complicated by resistance from the king – and by falling in love – but his biggest challenge comes when he is suddenly face to face with the dreaded beast, Vermithrax Pejorative.

Craig, Alan and guest Mark Woodring (@VSMoviePodcast on twitter) discuss nostalgia, Guillermo Del Toro, a review of “Dungeon & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” and the movie “Dragonslayer” on this week’s Matinee Heroes.

Show Notes

  • 0:59

    Craig, Alan and Mark Woodring review the new movie “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”

  • 14:46

    Craig, Alan and Mark discuss “Dragonslayer”

  • 27:42

    Recasting

  • 46:24 

    Double Feature

  • 51:32

    Final Thoughts

  • 57:24

    A preview of next week’s episode “Ronin”

Next week, we go back to the 90s and character driven action with Robert DeNiro’s under-rated classic “Ronin”

TRON

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Posted: August 13, 2022

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (48.9MB)

TRON

When talented computer engineer Kevin Flynn finds out that an executive at his company has been stealing his work, he tries to hack into the system. However, Flynn is transported into the digital world, where he has to face off against Sark, and the imposing Master Control Program. Aided by Tron and Yori, Flynn becomes a freedom fighter for the oppressed programs of the grid.

Craig, Alan and guest Derek McCaw (@FanboyPlanet on twitter) discuss just plain cool movies, #coderscrack, Derek’s dance party adventures at Comic Con and the movie Tron on this Birthday edition of Matinee Heroes.

Show Notes

  • 1:03

    Craig, Alan and Derek talk about Alan’s Birthday and Derek’s time at the TRON themed party at Comic-C0n.

  • 13:46

    Craig, Alan and Derek discuss the movie “TRON”

  • 41:40  

    Recasting

  • 1:01:49

    Double Feature

  • 1:04:55

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:08:06

    A preview of next week’s episode “Clear and Present Danger”

Next week…we celebrate Craig’s birthday with one of his favorite movies “Clear and Present Danger”

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