Contra Zoom Pod
@contrazoompod.bsky.social
Film based podcast Contra Zoom, hosted by Dakota Arsenault Vancouver/Toronto. Co-founder of @cascadiacritics https://linktr.ee/contrazoompod
In honour of the great Martin Scorsese’s birthday, here is my ranking of the 17 films I’ve seen of his. What’s your favourite?
November 18, 2025 at 12:34 AM
In honour of the great Martin Scorsese’s birthday, here is my ranking of the 17 films I’ve seen of his. What’s your favourite?
Just caught the absolute bonkers Deathstalker from Canadian special effects wiz Steven Kostanski. It’s like if the Monty Python decided to make their version of Lord of the Rings.
October 6, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Just caught the absolute bonkers Deathstalker from Canadian special effects wiz Steven Kostanski. It’s like if the Monty Python decided to make their version of Lord of the Rings.
Roofman is a hilarious comedy about a genius robber who is just not smart. But then it turns into a tender drama about forgiving yourself and getting better. Channing Tatum is fantastic and pairs wonderfully with Kirsten Dunst (and Ben Mendelsohn as a very sincere pastor). #TIFF50
September 12, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Roofman is a hilarious comedy about a genius robber who is just not smart. But then it turns into a tender drama about forgiving yourself and getting better. Channing Tatum is fantastic and pairs wonderfully with Kirsten Dunst (and Ben Mendelsohn as a very sincere pastor). #TIFF50
Modern Whore is a delightful and educational documentary about ups and downs as a sex worker and demystifying the oldest profession in the world. Andrea Werhun is a blast to watch! #TIFF50
September 12, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Modern Whore is a delightful and educational documentary about ups and downs as a sex worker and demystifying the oldest profession in the world. Andrea Werhun is a blast to watch! #TIFF50
Obsession might the most horrifying film I've ever seen. Inde Navarette is nothing short of spectacular as a girl who by a wish becomes the most in love person in the world and the lengths she will go to keep her new boyfriend. Many images will haunt me for a long time. #TIFF50
September 12, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Obsession might the most horrifying film I've ever seen. Inde Navarette is nothing short of spectacular as a girl who by a wish becomes the most in love person in the world and the lengths she will go to keep her new boyfriend. Many images will haunt me for a long time. #TIFF50
Steal Away from Canadian legend Clement Virgo, is a densely packed allegory about slavery, colonialism and refugees. It's haunting and beautiful even if you can't quite be sure what everything means. This will be a film that wi be studied for years. #TIFF50
September 11, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Steal Away from Canadian legend Clement Virgo, is a densely packed allegory about slavery, colonialism and refugees. It's haunting and beautiful even if you can't quite be sure what everything means. This will be a film that wi be studied for years. #TIFF50
The Ballad of a Small Player is a sweaty more intimate followup than Edward Berger's last two films. Colin Farrell may look slimy but his soul is fully bared in this film that is the last thing you'd expect. #TIFF50
September 10, 2025 at 9:14 PM
The Ballad of a Small Player is a sweaty more intimate followup than Edward Berger's last two films. Colin Farrell may look slimy but his soul is fully bared in this film that is the last thing you'd expect. #TIFF50
Christy starring Sydney Sweeney is a by the numbers biopic which is a shame coming from someone as talented as David Michôd. Sweeney is fine, Ben Foster is one note but Merrit Weaver and Katy O'Brien steal their scenes. #TIFF50
September 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Christy starring Sydney Sweeney is a by the numbers biopic which is a shame coming from someone as talented as David Michôd. Sweeney is fine, Ben Foster is one note but Merrit Weaver and Katy O'Brien steal their scenes. #TIFF50
Well Nouvelle Vague shows two things, there were so many cool artists hanging out in Paris in the 50s and the French continue to making smoking look cool. This film is a delight!
September 10, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Well Nouvelle Vague shows two things, there were so many cool artists hanging out in Paris in the 50s and the French continue to making smoking look cool. This film is a delight!
Just watched Blue Heron, a tender emotionally complicated film about how difficult it can be to love your family sometimes. It features nonconventional timeline that is as unique as it is bold. An early contender for Best Cascadian Film with @cascadiacritics.bsky.social #TIFF50
September 9, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Just watched Blue Heron, a tender emotionally complicated film about how difficult it can be to love your family sometimes. It features nonconventional timeline that is as unique as it is bold. An early contender for Best Cascadian Film with @cascadiacritics.bsky.social #TIFF50
Starting of my third day at #TIFF50 with The Smashing Machine followed by Blue Heron a potential Best Cascadian Film nominee, and ending with one of the two Linklater films playing in Nouvelle Vague.
September 9, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Starting of my third day at #TIFF50 with The Smashing Machine followed by Blue Heron a potential Best Cascadian Film nominee, and ending with one of the two Linklater films playing in Nouvelle Vague.
Now seated for my last movie of my second day with The Secret Agent.
September 8, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Now seated for my last movie of my second day with The Secret Agent.
About to see Eternity the new A24 film, one where I got the chance to work one day on and was in awe of the sets they built.
September 8, 2025 at 5:25 PM
About to see Eternity the new A24 film, one where I got the chance to work one day on and was in awe of the sets they built.
The Christophers (Soderbergh's 3rd movie of 2025) is a delightful two hander punctuated by the dry and witty musings of Ian McKellen and full body eye rolls from Michaela Cole. It's so much more than just an art movie and Soderbergh continues his streak of small but excellent films. #TIFF50
September 8, 2025 at 3:07 PM
The Christophers (Soderbergh's 3rd movie of 2025) is a delightful two hander punctuated by the dry and witty musings of Ian McKellen and full body eye rolls from Michaela Cole. It's so much more than just an art movie and Soderbergh continues his streak of small but excellent films. #TIFF50
For my second day at #TIFF50 I'll be seeing the new new new Soderbergh, The Christopher's (seriously it's his 3rd movie this year), new A24 Eternity and the surprise Brazilian hit The Secret Agent.
September 8, 2025 at 12:48 PM
For my second day at #TIFF50 I'll be seeing the new new new Soderbergh, The Christopher's (seriously it's his 3rd movie this year), new A24 Eternity and the surprise Brazilian hit The Secret Agent.
Is The Furious a particularly good movie? No. Is it absolutely batshit insane with violence so off the charts you won't know what you just saw? You bet! A man who was froze to death get his head punched off and a motorcycle takes out dozens of bad guys. Just nuts. #TIFF50
September 7, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Is The Furious a particularly good movie? No. Is it absolutely batshit insane with violence so off the charts you won't know what you just saw? You bet! A man who was froze to death get his head punched off and a motorcycle takes out dozens of bad guys. Just nuts. #TIFF50
I love mail days!
August 7, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I love mail days!
I’m in Montreal for a completely different reason, and totally forgot that Fantasia is still going on!
July 31, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I’m in Montreal for a completely different reason, and totally forgot that Fantasia is still going on!
Coming home for a visit Toronto!
July 23, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Coming home for a visit Toronto!