Contra Zoom, Author at That Shelf

Contra Zoom

Contra Zoom is a film based podcast going in depth about varying movie related subjects. Dakota Arsenault, Rachel Ho and guests go over both academic and the fun aspects of enjoying the film medium. Episodes feature lists, interviews and comparisons. Email us at [email protected]

Articles by Contra Zoom:

September 15, 2026
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 344: Interview With Matthew Rankin of Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney
On the latest Contra Zoom Pod they interview Matthew Rankin about his film Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney, which had its world premiere at TIFF.

September 8, 2026
Contra Zoom Pod Episode Episode 343: 2026 TIFF Preview
The Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 10-20th, and Contra Zoom Pod previews 8 films they are excited to see.

August 31, 2026
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 342: Canadian Film Draft
On the latest Contra Zoom Pod, Dakota Arsenault, Matthew Simpson, Bil Antoniou and Matt Sheardown draft the best Canadian movies!

August 24, 2026
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 340: Interview with Shiho Kataoka of Aruku
On Contra Zoom Pod, Jeff Bulmer chats with Shiho Kataoka, the director of Aruku , which played at the Toronto Japanese Film Festival.

August 20, 2026
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 341: 2026 Fantasia Festival Wrap-Up
Over on Contra Zoom Pod, they wrap up the Fantasia Film Festival by discussing 6 films watched, including Dance Freak, Home Bodies and more!

July 15, 2026
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 339: Best Films By City, Part 2
It is a yearly tradition for Contra Zoom Pod’s host Dakota to celebrate his birthday by making a fun list. This year, he continues by picking 10 great films for the cities they represent!

July 12, 2026
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 338: New Oscar Rules
The Oscars recently announced a slate of new rules. Contra Zoom Pod discusses the changes to the acting categories, Best International Film and more.

June 23, 2026
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 337: Paul Thomas Anderson Ranked
Over on Contra Zoom Pod, they rank the 10 films of Paul Thomas Anderson from Hard Eight to One Battle After Another .

June 3, 2026
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 336: 2026 Canadian Screen Awards
The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards concluded their week-long celebration. On Contra Zoom Pod, they discuss the big winners, losers and snubs.

May 29, 2026
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 335: Interview with Tommy Avallone of MySpace
Jeff Bulmer had the chance to talk with the director of the film MySpace, Tommy Avallone, for Contra Zoom Pod after it played at Hot Docs.

May 23, 2026
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 334: 2026 Hot Docs
The 2026 Hot Docs festival, celebrating the best in documentary cinema, has come to a close. Contra Zoom Pod discusses eight films that played!

April 17, 2026
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 333: Interview With Amalie Atkins of Agatha’s Almanac
Jeff Bulmer interviews Amalie Atkins, the director of the new doc â Agatha’s Almanacâ , which stars her grandma, who runs a 64-acre farm in Manitoba.

April 7, 2026
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 332: Best Films of 2025
Now that Oscar season has come and gone, it is finally time for Contra Zoom to put a bow on the films from 2025. We rank our top 10 films of the year.

April 1, 2026
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 331: 2026 Canadian Screen Award Nominations
The noms for the Canadian Screen Awardsâ have been released. Contra Zoom Pod discusses the new rule changes, our favourite nominated films and more.

March 27, 2026
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 330: Interview With Alireza Khatami of The Things You Kill
Jeff Bulmer of Contra Zoom Pod had the chance to interview Alireza Khatami, the director of the new film â The Things You Killâ .

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Verity follows struggling writer Lowen, who is hired to finish the latest book in bestselling author Verity Crawford’s series after an accident leaves her unable to communicate. But while staying at Verity’s home, Lowen discovers a disturbing manuscript that forces her to question everything she knows about the author, her family, and the truth behind what happened. With Anne Hathaway clearly having fun in the title role, Verity embraces the pulpy spirit of ’90s psychological thrillers while balancing darker themes with a playful sense of humour. Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett add strong performances, but it’s Hathaway’s larger-than-life presence and the film’s twists that make this a fun, unpredictable ride. 📝 Full review by Rachel West now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 days ago
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Primetime takes a dark look at the rise of To Catch a Predator, following disgraced journalist Chris Hansen and the sensationalist television empire built around his “gotcha” investigations. Through the eyes of the people working behind the scenes, the film explores the blurred lines between journalism, entertainment, morality, and the pursuit of ratings. Robert Pattinson delivers a complex performance as Hansen, capturing both his commanding television persona and the contradictions beneath it. With its gritty late-2000s aesthetic and echoes of Network, Primetime becomes a sharp moral fable about the damage caused when sensationalism, ambition, and the desire for authority take priority over empathy and justice. 📝 Full review by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
7 days ago
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Forgotten Island follows best friends Jo and Raissa as their final night together before graduation takes an unexpected turn, transporting them to the mythical island of Nakali. There, they face memory-stealing creatures, magical obstacles, and the possibility that returning home could mean losing the memories of their friendship. Fast, chaotic, and packed with Filipino mythology and pop culture influences, the film embraces its sensory overload rather than slowing down. Its kinetic animation, vibrant visual style, and spirited voice cast make for an exhilarating adventure, while at its heart is a moving story about friendship, growing up, and holding on to the memories that shape us. 📝 Full review by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
1 week ago
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TRAILER PREMIERE! Catch the trailer for Toronto filmmaker @ajuniorgabriel s debut doc, #TheSickling. Badejo chronicles his personal and emotional journey with sickle cell disease–one of the world’s most misunderstood genetic diseases. Through intimate family moments, conversations with medical experts and fellow sickle cell warriors, and raw footage of Gabriel himself, the film reveals the massive invisible weight of chronic illness, the prevalence of systemic medical racism, and the personal cost of survival itself. The film opens in Toronto on October 3 @hotdocs_ and in Montreal on October 5 at @cinemadumusee, then airs on CBC later that month. Check out this exclusive look at the trailer now.
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Canadian doc GAIL has been a hit with #TIFF26 audiences. Here’s director @michaelmaxxis and Our Lady Peace’s @duncancoutts after today’s screening, talking about this cinematic story on their super fan from the Bronx.
2 weeks ago
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#Neverman director @roccocine , along with cast members (from right to left) @mxviv (far right), @zaibabaig_ and @evaevirv, take to the stage at the world premiere of the Canadian drama at #TIFF26! Head to the link in our bio for our review! 🎥 @rachel_is_here
2 weeks ago
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CONTEST ALERT! "Your best friendship is worth fighting for. " We're giving away passes to the VANCOUVER preview screening of Universal Pictures' upcoming title, FORGOTTEN ISLAND, a new original film from DreamWorks Animation (How to Train Your Dragon, Shrek, Puss in Boots). The film opens in theatres on September 25, but Universal is hosting an exclusive advance screening in Vancouver on Wednesday, September 23. To enter, just: 🫶 Like this post. 🫶 Follow That Shelf 🫶 Tag your best friend (the one who you'd like to go to the Vancouver screening with)! Grammy- and Academy Award®-winning supernova H.E.R. and Liza Soberano (Lisa Frankenstein, Alone/Together) star as best friends and high school graduates Jo and Raissa, who are about to embark on separate life paths. While celebrating their last night together, they stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali, packed with creatures they grew up hearing stories about in their Filipino families. When they discover that the memories of their entire friendship are the price for returning home, Jo and Raissa will race to find a way to leave the island before they forget each other forever. Forgotten Island opens in theatres September 25. The contest closes Sunday at 12 noon PT. One entry per person. Canada only. Winners will be contacted by DMs. #contest #vancouver #advancescreening
2 weeks ago
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ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN! ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN RUN-OF-ENGAGEMENT TICKETS TO SEE #ResidentEvil. To enter: 🔴 Follow us. 🔴 Like this post. 🔴 Tag the friend you'd bring to see RESIDENT EVIL. You'll be entered to win passes to see the film during its theatrical engagement beginning September 18! From the mind of visionary filmmaker Zach Cregger (Weapons, Barbarian) comes a thrilling — and terrifying — reinvention of the Resident Evil franchise. In an all-new story, Resident Evil follows Bryan (Austin Abrams), a medical courier who unwittingly finds himself in an action-packed, non-stop race for survival as one fateful, horrifying night collapses around him in chaos. @ResidentEvil opens exclusively in movie theatres on September 18, 2026. Giveaway closes on Sunday, September 20. Open to Canadian residents only. Winners will be notified by DM. One entry per account, please. @SonyPicturesCanada @thetarogroup
3 weeks ago
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We're almost at the halfway point of #TIFF26 already (we can't believe it either) and we're already hit some incredible cinematic highs and some equally incredible lows... Here is a second batch of quotes from our critics on some of the films they've seen: The Debut (@mullenpat) Elsinore (@emmathedame) Love of Your Life (@rachel_is_here) Faith (@rachel_is_here) IDDA (@haileypassmore) Ancestors (@mullenpat) Krux (@rachel_is_here) L'AUTRE (@smallmind1978) Smudge the Blades (@mullenpat) Nobody's Violence (@smallmind1978) The Betrayers (@rachel_is_here) Nosotros (@smallmind1978) Read the full reviews at the link in our bio! What's topped your list at the fest so far?
3 weeks ago
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