The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

Disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist is hired by industrialist Henrik Vanger to solve the 40-year-old murder of his niece, Harriet, suspected to be a family member’s crime. Joined by Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant but unconventional hacker, they uncover a dark history of murder and abuse beneath Sweden’s industrial facade. Together, they risk everything to confront the evil at its core.

Craig, Elisabeth and guest Paul Hitchcock discuss trauma bonding, family histories, Elizabeth’s favorite films and the movie “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 1:07

    Craig, Elisabeth and Paul Hitchcock talk about Elisabeth’s all-time favorite movies

  • 9:58

    Craig, Elisabeth and Paul discuss “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”

  • 58:12

    Recasting

  • 1:35:18

    Double Feature

  • 1:39:56

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:50:26

    A preview of next week’s episode “Gorillas in the Mist”

Next week, we continue our welcome of Elisabeth by delving into her love of animals and Sigourney Weaver with “Gorillas in the Mist”

Babe

BABE

Farmer Arthur Hoggett wins a piglet named Babe at a county fair. Narrowly escaping his fate as Christmas dinner when Farmer Hoggett decides to show him at the next fair, Babe bonds with motherly border collie and discovers that he too can herd sheep. But can a pig who defies the farm’s social order be accepted by the other animals?

Craig. Elisabeth and guest Rob Ervin discuss animal mistreatment, pigs with toupees, musical mice and the movie “Babe” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!!

Show Notes

  • 0:51

    Craig, Elisabeth and Rob Ervin from “The Clubhouse Podcast” talk about 2025.

  • 7:45

    Craig, Elisabeth and Rob discuss “Babe”

  • 38:12

    Recasting

  • 41:41

    Double Feature

  • 46:25

    Final Thoughts

  • 55:18

    A preview of next week’s episode “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”

Next week, we officially welcome Elisabeth to the Matinee Heroes team with a full month of movies she loves, starting with “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”

The Call of the Wild

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”

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

When eccentric candy man Willy Wonka promises a lifetime supply of sweets and a tour of his chocolate factory to five lucky kids, penniless Charlie Bucket seeks the golden ticket that will make him a winner. When he experiences the magical wonders inside the factory, the boy discovers that a kind heart is a far finer possession than a sweet tooth.

Craig, Elisabeth and guest Derek McCaw talk about dark children’s movies, wild internet theories,  lazy grandparents and the movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 1:14

    Craig, Elisabeth and Derek McCaw from Fanboy Planet talk about the holiday season.

  • 12:43

    Craig, Elisabeth and Derek discuss “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”

  • 1:17:47

    Recasting

  • 1:37:52

    Double Feature

  • 1:42:53

    Final Thoughts

  • 1:48:03

    A preview of next week’s episode “Call of the Wild”

Next week, nothing says Christmas like lots of cold and snow! We head north to Alaska to answer “The Call of the Wild”

Paddington 2

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”

Hook

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”

A Quiet Place

A QUIET PLACE

A family must live in silence to avoid mysterious creatures that hunt by sound. Knowing that even the slightest whisper or footstep can bring death, Evelyn and Lee are determined to find a way to protect their children while desperately searching for a way to fight back.

Craig and guest co-host Brendan Agnew talk about extreme parenting, loud kids, entry points into horror and the movie “A Quiet Place” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 0:52

    Craig and guest co-host Brendan Agnew talk about Brendan’s movie “gaps”.

  • 7:33

    Craig and Brendan discuss “A Quiet Place”

  • 30:41

    Recasting

  • 36:26

    Double Feature

  • 40:34

    Final Thoughts

  • 44:54

    A preview of next week’s episode “Hook”

Next week, a surprising movie Alan has never seen – Steven Spielberg’s “Hook”

Vertigo

VERTIGO

A retired San Francisco detective, burdened by a debilitating fear of heights, is hired by an old friend to follow his wife, who exhibits strange and troubling behavior. As he delves deeper, he becomes dangerously obsessed with her, entangling himself in a web of deceit, murder, and illusion. His fixation leads to a haunting cycle of identity, madness, and lies that blurs the line between reality and obsession.

Craig and guest co-host Derek McCaw discuss film auteurs, toxic masculinity, how films grow beyond their original meanings and the movie “Vertigo” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!

Show Notes

  • 0:55

    Craig and guest co-host Derek McCaw talk about Derek’s movie “gaps”.

  • 12:00

    Craig and Derek discuss “Vertigo”

  • 35:54

    Recasting

  • 48:56

    Double Feature

  • 51:43

    Final Thoughts

  •  54:08

    A preview of next week’s episode “A Quiet Place”

Next week, another new movie for Craig – the widely praised “A Quiet Place”

Doctor Zhivago

DOCTOR ZHIVAGO

During the Russian Revolution, young doctor Yuri Zhivago, raised by his aunt and uncle, falls in love with the beautiful Lara, who has been having an affair with the unscrupulous businessman Victor Komarovsky. Despite marrying his cousin, Tonya, Yuri’s love for Lara remains. Years later when by chance he and Lara meet again, the spark of love reignites.

Craig and guest co-host Elizabeth Rappe discuss Russian history, tragic love stories, middle-aged comedies and the movie “Doctor Zhivago” on this week’s Matinee Heroes.

Show Notes

  • 1:01

    Craig and guest co-host Elisabeth Rappe talk about Elizabeth’s movie “gaps”.

  • 8:51

    Craig and Elisabeth discuss “Doctor Zhivago”

  • 48:49

    Recasting

  • 1:09:01

    Double Feature

  •  1:12:22

    Final Thoughts

  •  1:16:01

    A preview of next week’s episode “Vertigo”

Next week, another new movie for Craig – the Hitchcock masterpiece “Vertigo”

The Long Kiss Goodnight

THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT

Schoolteacher and single mother Samantha Caine lives a quiet suburban life until strange memories and unusual physical skills emerge. She hires private detective Mitch Hennessey to prober her past, uncovering that she’s actually a highly trained government assassin with amnesia. Now, her former handlers are determined to bring her back.

Craig and Alan start New-vember talking about not being ashamed of content gaps, 90’s action flicks and a movie Craig has never seen “The Long Kiss Goodnight” on this week’s Matinee Heroes!!

Show Notes

  • 1:03

    Craig and Alan talk about movie “gaps”.

  • 11:42

    Craig and Alan discuss “The Long Kiss Goodnight”

  • 29:33

    Recasting

  • 51:00

    Double Feature

  •  57:57

    Final Thoughts

  •  1:02:00

    A preview of next week’s episode “Doctor Zhivago”

Next week, another new movie for Craig and a Russian history lesson from guest Elisabeth Rappe as they talk “Doctor Zhivago”.