Matthew Simpson, Author at That Shelf

https://www.instagram.com/smatthewaf/

Matthew Simpson

Matthew is a writer and podcaster based in Vancouver, Canada. A lifelong Trekkie, he has seen every episode of every series at least twice, which sounds like a lot until you realize heâ€™s also watched The Office (US) all the way through seven times since 2020, and then it still sounds like a lot. He thinks that The Leftovers is the greatest show of the 21st century so far, that Star Wars has worn out its welcome, and that the single best thing The Simpsons has ever done was their rendition of The Raven. He podcasts about movies on the Awesome Friday Podcast and also writes for Exclaim.ca.

Articles by Matthew Simpson:

February 22, 2024
Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent Review: The Iconic Franchise Comes to Canada
Dick Wolf’s television institution goes up north with Law and Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, a new installment that fits comfortably into the franchise’s signature mold.

January 22, 2024
Sight Unseen Review: New Canadian Detective Show Has A Unique Hook
The new CTV Original follows Tess, a visually-impaired detective who must rely on Sunny, a remote seeing eye partner.

January 9, 2024
Echo Review: Marvel Tries To Answer Criticisms With Mixed Results
Marvel’s new series is a noble effort but fails to address issues that many of the MCU’s Disney+ shows continue to suffer from.

November 15, 2023
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Review: New Series Adds Depth and Breadth To The Monsterverse
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, new from Apple TV+ and Legendary, adds depth and breadth to the Godzilla-led Monsterverse.

November 12, 2023
Reel Asian Festival: We Will Be Brave Review
Reel Asian Film Festival doc We Will Be Brave is a feature with noble intentions let down by a narrow scope, writes Matthew Simpson.

October 14, 2023
VIFF 2023: I Used to Be Funny Review
Rachel Sennott shows off her dramatic chops as a comedian facing dark times in I Used to Be Funny .

October 3, 2023
Loki Season 2 Review: More Fun Shenanigans in the MCU’s Sacred Timeline
Hiddleston effortlessly slips back into his role as the god of mischief in the Disney show’s second outing.

September 22, 2023
The Fall of the House of Usher Review: Mike Flanagan Remixes Edgar Allan Poe with Excellent Results
Mike Flanagan remixes Edgar Allan Poe to great success with The Fall of the House of Usher.

July 30, 2023
The Witcher Season 3, Volume 2 Starts Strong and Ends Flat
The second instalment of The Witcher ‘s third season has one great battle episode, but, unfortunately, the last two episodes muddle it.

June 29, 2023
The Witcher Season 3, Volume 1: History Repeats Itself
The first five episodes of ‘The Witcher’ Season 3 continues its streak of strong fantasy TV, but the real meat of the season is yet to come.

June 2, 2023
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 16 Sneak Peak: The Gang is Back in Fine Form
The Season 16 premiere of ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ promises a hilarious new series of misadventures.

May 27, 2023
Little Bird Review: A Must-Watch Canadian Story
The new Crave Original effectively grapples with Canada’s dark history against indigenous peoples.

May 3, 2023
Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 Review: Nine Exciting Expansions of the Star Wars Universe
The animated anthology series’ second go around is unafraid to explore the themes that make Star Wars great.

April 22, 2023
Star Trek: Picard Season 3 Review: A Fun, Final Adventure
There’s no denying the emotion that fans will feel with the crew back on the bridge one last time.

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With just 34 days before reporting to federal prison, Elizabeth Holmes invites filmmakers Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim into her home for an unrestricted look at her life. What begins as an offer of complete access becomes an unsettling exploration of truth, performance, and the difficulty of knowing who someone really is. Balancing uncomfortable humour with a fascinating sense of ambiguity, the documentary refuses to offer easy answers about Holmes or her carefully constructed public image. Through intimate cinematography, intricate editing, and Fielder’s signature awkwardness, it challenges audiences to question what they’re seeing, making for an ambitious, thought-provoking film that lingers long after it ends. 📝 Full review by Lyle Kruger now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
6 hours ago
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Rest in peace, Tom Skerritt (1933–2026). A familiar and commanding presence on screen for more than six decades, Skerritt built a remarkable career across film and television, bringing a quiet authority and understated humanity to every role. From Captain Dallas in Alien and Viper in Top Gun to his performances in MASH*, The Turning Point, Steel Magnolias, and A River Runs Through It, he became part of some of cinema’s most enduring stories. On television, he earned an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Sheriff Jimmy Brock in Picket Fences, a role that showcased his ability to balance strength, warmth, and humour. Whether playing a military commander, a father, or a small-town sheriff, Skerritt had a way of making his characters feel grounded and real. With a career spanning generations and more than 170 film and television credits, he leaves behind a body of work that will continue to find new audiences. Thank you for the performances and the lasting mark you left on cinema.
1 day ago
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2/9

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Street Fighter brings the iconic video game franchise back to the big screen, following estranged brothers Ryu and Ken as they reunite for the World Warrior Tournament. But with M. Bison plotting to harness the fighters’ power for his own sinister purposes, the competition soon becomes a battle for the fate of the world. Packed with spectacular fight sequences, nostalgic references, and a soundtrack that takes audiences straight back to the ’90s, the film delivers a major upgrade over its predecessor. With a perfectly matched cast, genuinely funny dialogue, and faithful recreations of the game’s signature moves, it balances fan service with entertaining action that newcomers can enjoy, too. 📝 Full review by Sarah Gopaul now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
3 days ago
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3/9

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Whalefall follows Jay Gardiner, a young scuba diver who finds himself trapped inside a sperm whale and facing an increasingly desperate fight for survival. But as he struggles to escape before his oxygen runs out, the experience also forces him to confront unresolved grief and his complicated relationship with his late father. Led by Austin Abrams, the film delivers an intense underwater survival thriller with impressive technical work and a convincing sense of claustrophobia. However, its exploration of grief and family trauma struggles to match the tension of its central premise, relying on familiar character arcs and heavy-handed emotional beats that leave its themes feeling muddled. 📝 Full review by Mel Valentin now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
4 days ago
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4/9

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What does it mean to see and hear yourself represented on screen? In his feature directorial debut, California Schemin’, James McAvoy tells the true story of Scottish rappers Silibil N’ Brains, who found success by pretending to be American. In this interview with That Shelf, McAvoy discusses the importance of staying true to the Scottish identity at the heart of the film, bringing the duo’s story to life, and why everyone deserves to see their own experiences reflected in cinema. 📝 Full interview by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
1 week ago
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5/9

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The Social Reckoning revisits the world of Facebook, following data scientist Frances Haugen and Wall Street Journal journalist Jeff Horwitz as they investigate the company’s role in spreading harmful content and radicalizing users. Set between 2019 and 2021, the film examines the consequences of prioritizing profit over people in the social media industry. Despite tackling an urgent and relevant subject, Aaron Sorkin’s follow-up struggles to offer fresh insights into the damage caused by social media. While the story raises important questions about corporate responsibility and the power of technology, underdeveloped characters, an awkward central relationship, and uninspired direction prevent the film from reaching its full potential. 📝 Full review by Mel Valentin now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 weeks ago
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6/9

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Six seasons into Slow Horses, Gary Oldman continues to find new layers in Jackson Lamb, the sharp-tongued, dishevelled spy at the centre of the series. In conversation with That Shelf at TIFF, Oldman reflects on playing Lamb over multiple seasons, the character’s history and hidden vulnerabilities, and the parallels between Lamb and another of his iconic spies, George Smiley. He also shares how adapting Mick Herron’s novels allows him to keep discovering new details about a character who carries years of history and baggage. 📝 Full interview by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 weeks ago
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7/9

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Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother follows Latif, a devout Muslim and hitman whose life takes a turn after his wife’s death leaves him caring for their three children. With his infant refusing formula and their supply of breast milk running out, Latif must navigate a dangerous world of crime and violence while trying to provide for his family. Mahershala Ali delivers an extraordinary performance in this striking blend of crime thriller, dark comedy, and religious parable. Bassam Tariq explores faith, fatherhood, hypocrisy, and forgiveness without losing sight of the tenderness at the film’s heart. Despite some uneven pacing near the end, it’s a bold, moving, and unforgettable film that stands apart from anything else this year. 📝 Full review by Lyle Kruger now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 weeks ago
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8/9

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Eva Marie Saint, one of the last silver-screen icons, has passed away at 102. She burst onto the scene with a magnificent supporting role opposite Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront — a role that earned her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar. She went on to memorable parts in North by Northwest, Raintree Country, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, Summer and Smoke, Exodus, and The Rainmaker. Her more recent roles included parts in Winter's Tale, Because of Winn-Dixie, and Superman Returns. Originally from Newark, she auditioned for Elia Kazan and was accepted into the Actors Studio, becoming one of a new generation of strong, method actors. One of the last of her Hollywood generation, she leaves us with an impressive career and legacy of over 6 decades! RIP.
3 weeks ago
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9/9