Tv/Movie Rewind

Matt Sirois
  • 4.7 (10)
  • Film Reviews
  • Updated Weekly

Two brothers, Matt & Todd talk about their favorite movies. We cover mostly up to the 90s and talk about all manner of genre films from the 'loved', 'rejected', 'stupid', 'forgotten', 'hardly known', 'underappreciated, 'silly', and 'pointless'. If you're a fan of: John Carpenter, Walter Hill, Sam Peckinpah, Steven Spielberg, John Sturges, Stallone, Schwarzenegger. If you know: Strother Martin, Brion James, Peter Jason and Dick Miller And if you know where the Fourth Crown is: Follow us on Letterboxd, Twitter and Instagram: @MovieMattSirois

  1. Aug 24

    Zulu Dawn (1979) & Zulu (1964)

    Today Matt & Todd explore two historically linked war epics: Zulu (1964) and Zulu Dawn (1979) We’re tackling them in reverse order of release because that’s the chronological order of the battles themselves. It’s a rare case where watching the films backwards actually gives you the forward momentum of history. Zulu Dawn (1979): The Disaster at Isandlwana Directed by Douglas Hickox, Zulu Dawn dramatizes the catastrophic British defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana in a moment that shattered the myth of imperial invincibility. The film features an enormous cast, including: Burt LancasterPeter O’TooleSimon SabelaSimon WardNigel DavenportRonald LaceyBob Hoskins…and thousands of Zulu extras whose presence gives the film its sweeping, overwhelming sense of scale. Though critically the weaker of the two films, Zulu Dawn is the necessary first chapter: a portrait of arrogance, miscalculation, and political maneuvering that pushed the British Army into an ill‑conceived invasion of Zululand. The Zulu kingdom had been cooperating with colonial authorities to that point — but the British government’s desire for expansion, coupled with manufactured provocations, set the stage for one of the empire’s most humiliating defeats. The film leans into the tragedy of command failures: scattered forces, poor reconnaissance, and a fatal underestimation of Zulu strategy. When the Zulu impis finally strike, the British camp collapses under the sheer force and coordination of the attack. It’s a war epic, but also a cautionary tale about hubris. Zulu (1964): The Stand at Rorke’s Drift Directed by Cy Endfield, Zulu is technically the “sequel,” though released 14 years earlier. It depicts the Battle of Rorke’s Drift in a desperate defensive action occurring just hours after the disaster at Isandlwana. The film stars: Stanley BakerJack HawkinsChief Mangosuthu ButheleziUlla JacobssonJames BoothMichael Caine (in his breakout role)…and, again, thousands of Zulu extras. Where Zulu Dawn is about collapse, Zulu is about endurance. A tiny British outpost, barely fortified, poorly supplied, and shaken by news of the earlier massacre, suddenly becomes the target of a massive Zulu strike. The film’s tension comes from the contrast: the Zulu forces are disciplined, coordinated, and relentless, while the British defenders are a mix of professionals, malcontents, and men simply trying to survive. The film is famous for its choreography of battle: shield walls, rifle volleys, chants, and the haunting rhythm of Zulu war songs. It’s also more character-driven, exploring class conflict, leadership under pressure, and the uneasy admiration between two sides locked in mortal combat. Neither film is a documentary. Both take liberties: compressing timelines, inventing characters, reworking the entire embodiment and sentiment of others, and shaping events for dramatic effect. But taken together, they form a compelling cinematic diptych: one battle lost through overconfidence, the next survived through grit, desperation and guile. What they absolutely nail is the sense of place: the sweeping hills of KwaZulu-Natal, the stark beauty of the African landscape, and the sheer physicality of the battles. These are rousing adventure epics, filled with unforgettable imagery and some of the fiercest large-scale combat sequences ever put on film.

    Zulu Dawn (1979) & Zulu (1964)

  2. Aug 3

    Remembering Jack Palance (with Logan)

    Today Matt and Todd are Joined by Logan to discuss the great Jack Palance. Jack Palance wasn’t just any actor, he was a force of nature who lived more lives than most people could fit into a century. Before he ever stepped in front of a camera, he was:A coal miner, a boxer, a college football star, a United States Army veteran, a sportswriter, a short‑order cook, a waiter, a lifeguard, a model… and then one of the finest actors of his generation. Commercials, stage, television, film... Jack Palance could do anything. He even recorded a country‑western album! His career spans over fifty years, dozens of genres, and a level of intensity and charisma that few performers have ever matched. Today we’re diving into some of the highlights we’ve come to love over the years and roles that show the full spectrum of what Palance could do. Know that even in the worst films of his catalogue, his performances were always top‑notch. A true professional. A legend. If you’re not familiar with him, we hope this inspires you to check out some great movies and discover why Jack Palance remains one of the most unforgettable presences in cinema history. Shane Attack! 10 Seconds to Hell Kill a Dragon Monte Walsh Chato’s Land Dracula Without Warning Alone in the Dark Young Guns City Slickers Tango & Cash Few actors could combine menace, charm, humor, and gravitas the way Jack Palance did. Few ever will.Thanks as always for listening—and we hope you enjoy revisiting one of cinema’s true originals. _____________ Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow who we follow at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheFade Out Podcast⁠⁠⁠s⁠

    Remembering Jack Palance (with Logan)

  3. Jul 24

    Victory (aka Escape to Victory) (1981)

    Today Matt & Todd return to the HBO classics of our early days with 1981’s Victory (also known as Escape to Victory). Before soccer was a mainstream American pastime, before the FIFA movie, HBO introduced many of us to a strange, earnest, unexpectedly thrilling hybrid: a World War II prison‑camp adventure mashed together with 30 minutes of genuinely great football choreography. The film was released in theaters but did not perform well, and didn't enjoy a wide release. Some sleepy HBO Saturday is probably the first time a lot of us saw this film. Released in the summer of 1981, Victory tells the story of Allied POWs challenged to a football match staged for Nazi propaganda. Despite its star power, Sylvester Stallone is here in full “I can do anything” mode, the film landed softly in the U.S. but resonated strongly in Europe and South America, where the sport and its legends were already cultural monoliths. And that’s the secret weapon: Pelé. The Brazilian megastar (and Whit Bissell co‑winner) choreographed the on‑field action, designing plays and sequences executed by real professional players cast as POWs and German guards. The result is a thrilling, authentic stretch of football cinema that still holds up—fast, clever, and caps an unforgettable ending. Victory is also a remake of the 1961 Hungarian film Two Half‑Times in Hell, itself inspired by disputed accounts of real matches played in occupied Ukraine between former Dynamo and Lokomotiv Kiev players and their Nazi overseers. The details vary, but the myth endures: sport as resistance, pride, and survival. Forgotten by many in the U.S., Victory remains a fantastic film worth revisiting, especially now that soccer has finally found its footing here and we're still close to a world cup hangover. Much like the sport itself, you may discover it’s actually pretty great. Main Cast: Sylvester Stallone as Captain Robert Hatch Michael Caine as Captain John Colby Whit Bissell Award Winner Pelé as Corporal Luis Fernandez Max von Sydow as Major Karl von Steiner Gary Waldhorn as Hauptmann Rainer Mueller, German coach Tim Pigott-Smith as Major Rose Julian Curry as Wing Commander Shurlock Whit Bissell Award Winner Anton Differing as Commentator The Players Victory's thrilling footlball moments brought by a long list of international pros listed here (by country of birth): (Argentina) Osvaldo Ardiles (Allied Player)(Belgium) Paul Van Himst (Allied Player)(Brazil) Pelé (Allied Player)(Denmark) Søren Lindsted (Allied Player)(England) Michael Caine (Allied Player)Bobby Moore (Allied Player)Mike Summerbee (Allied Player)Russell Osman (Allied Player)Mike Summerbee (Allied Player) Robin Turner (German Player)Laurence Sivell (German Player)(Hungary) Sándor Egervári (German Player)Ferenc Fülöp (German Player)Imre Boda (German Player)(Ireland) Kevin O'Callaghan(Netherlands) Co Prins (Allied Player)(Norway) Hallvar Thoresen (Allied Player)(Poland) Kazimierz Deyna (Allied Player)(Scotland) John Wark (Allied Player)(USA) Sylvester Stallone (Allied Player)Werner Roth (German Player) _____________ Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow who we follow at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheFade Out Podcast⁠⁠⁠s⁠

    Victory (aka Escape to Victory) (1981)

  4. Jun 29

    Planet of the Apes (1974 Television Series)

    Today Matt & Todd swing back into sci‑fi television with the short‑lived but fascinating 1974 TV series: Planet of the Apes. Long before the modern reboots, CBS took a swing at bringing the Apes universe to weekly television. The result is a real fun and earnest adventure series that carries the torch of its larger brethren surprisingly well. The TV version of Planet of the Apes is a perfect time capsule of 1970s genre television: equal parts Logan’s Run, The Incredible Hulk, and Wagon Train… but with orangutans. The show follows astronauts Burke and Virdon, who crash‑land on a future Earth ruled by intelligent apes. With their chimpanzee ally Galen (played by the always‑awesome Roddy McDowall) they wander from settlement to settlement helping humans, dodging gorilla soldiers, and trying to uncover the truth behind their own timeline. Given a few more seasons to cook, this series might have carved out an enduring legacy in its own right. What makes the show compelling today is how much time it gives the world to breathe. The humans are always in danger, but the pacing would allow for calmer exploration of culture, of power dynamics, of the uneasy coexistence between species. It’s less about revolution and more about compassion, curiosity, and the small victories of people trying to survive in a world stacked against them. If you’re a fan of the original films, classic TV sci‑fi, or just curious how the Apes franchise reinvented itself on the small screen, this series is a fully entertaining detour. It works beautifully as a companion to the movies—distilling their energy into a slower, more thoughtful crawl, and it stands on its own as a look at the divide between those who have power and those who don’t. It was a short run but it took a very hard swing and connected, even if it only had the one at-bat. Why did this become a baseball analogy? I don't know either. It just felt right somehow... Planet of the Apes (Television 1974) Main Cast: Roddy McDowall as GalenRon Harper as Colonel Alan VirdonJames Naughton as Major Peter J. BurkeMark Lenard as Security Chief UrkoBooth Colman as Councillor Zaius_____________ Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠ You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠⁠⁠. Follow who we follow at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheFade Out Podcast⁠⁠⁠s⁠

    Planet of the Apes (1974 Television Series)

  5. Jun 14

    The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

    This week we take a sharp left turn from our usual cinematic diet of Tombs of the Blind Dead, Maniac Cop, and Tango & Cash to talk about a genuine masterpiece of American filmmaking. Yes, the same podcast that once "recommended" Raiders of the Living Dead with a straight(ish) face is now asking you to sit down for a three‑hour post‑WWII drama about ordinary people trying to rebuild their lives.And it’s worth every minute.William Wyler’s The Best Years of Our Lives still resonates with a grounded emotional honesty that’s hard to find; especially in the kinds of movies we usually bring to the table. You won’t find a single bullet, a Reb Brown scream, a spiked shoulder pad, or anyone cutting pizza with scissors. What you will find is a film that takes the “boring parts” of action movies: talking, relationships, consequences, and makes them riveting through sharp writing and extraordinary performances.This is a movie that trusts its actors to carry three hours of humanity, vulnerability, and quiet power. And they do.Directed by: William Wyler (1946)Starring: Myrna Loy as Milly StephensonFredric March as Technical Sergeant Al StephensonDana Andrews as Captain Fred DerryTeresa Wright as Peggy StephensonVirginia Mayo as Marie DerryCathy O’Donnell as Wilma CameronWhit Bissell Award Winner Hoagy Carmichael as Butch EngleHarold Russell as Petty Officer 2nd Class Homer ParrishGladys George as Hortense DerryRoman Bohnen as Pat DerryWhit Bissell Award Winner Marlene Aames as Luella ParrishIf you’re not in the mood for three hours of talking, we get it—we’ve got over 200 other movies to suggest. But if you’re willing to try something infinitely less bloody and probably more thoughtful, this one is well worth your time.Maybe it’s a little too cute, a little too uplifting, and maybe it only shows three very specific walks of life that (spoilers) turn out pretty well. But maybe we need a movie like that. Maybe we need something that isn’t cartoonishly cynical for shock value, something that actually thinks about its subject. Less than a year after WWII ended, this film dared to talk about things people weren’t ready to talk about.We’ve thrown around the phrase “perfect movie” before, but what we really mean is a movie you finish and think: no notes. That’s subjective, sure. Nothing is truly perfect. But for two guys who would otherwise recommend Psycho Goreman without blinking, this film is as close as it gets because of how it can reach us anyway.We hope you find it, watch it, and enjoy it as much as we did.Thanks as always for listening—and we’ll see you next time._____________ Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠ You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠⁠. Follow who we follow at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheFade Out Podcast⁠⁠⁠s

    The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

  6. May 19

    Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969)

    Today Matt and Todd are joined once again by Fire & Water Podcast Network’s “Shagg” Matthews for another cartoon classic: this time the one that started an empire of spooky hijinks, bubble‑gum pop, and unmaskings. We’re talking 1969’s Scooby‑Doo, Where Are You!, the original series that launched the entire Scooby‑Doo franchise and set the tone for everything that followed. The classic gags, the groovy chase songs, the chocolate‑sauce‑covered salami, the Scooby Snacks, and of course… the meddling. Premiering on September 13th, 1969, Scooby‑Doo, Where Are You! was an instant hit and remains a time‑worn classic nearly six decades later. Through countless TV series, films, comics, crossovers, reboots, and reinventions, the original still stands tall as the blueprint for the entire mystery‑solving genre. Created by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears (later of Ruby‑Spears Productions, the team behind many 1980s Saturday‑morning staples) the show features the immortal original cast, iconic theme recordings, and some of the grooviest bubble‑gum pop ever pressed onto a cartoon soundtrack. Season 2’s chase songs alone (Pretty Mary Sunlight, Daydreamin’, etc.) are a vibe all their own. Scooby‑Doo, Where Are You! remains a perfect time capsule that still sets the standard for the entire Scooby‑Doo diaspora that followed. Featuring the original voice cast: Don Messick as Scooby‑Doo and miscellaneous charactersCasey Kasem as Shaggy Rogers and miscellaneous charactersFrank Welker as Fred Jones and miscellaneous charactersStefanianna Christopherson (Season 1) and Heather North (Seasons 2–3) as Daphne BlakeNicole Jaffe as Velma Dinkley Music: Season 1 theme: Larry Marks Season 2 theme & chase songs: Austin Roberts Whether you grew up with the original, discovered it through reruns, or came in through one of the many later incarnations, Scooby‑Doo, Where Are You! remains a foundational piece of animated mystery‑comedy—still funny, still charming, still groovy. Special thanks to "Shagg" again for joining us in revisiting the legendary highjinks of the beloved great dane and gang. Find the Irredeemable Shagg @ the Fire & Water Podcast here on Spotify and https://fireandwaterpodcast.com/Spotify – SearchFor the 'Fire And Water Podcast Network' and 'The Irredeemable Shagg' _____________ Matt has over 100+ lists for movie suggestions on ⁠Letterboxd⁠You can reach out on Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful⁠. Follow who we follow at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠⁠s

    Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969)

  7. May 9

    The Park is Mine (1985)

    Today Matt & Todd crack open the VHS clamshell and revisit the ultimate case of First Blood at home: 1985’s The Park is Mine, starring Tommy Lee Jones; This is Matt & Todd’s new venture into the original Parks & Rec[1]: an HBO‑produced 1985 Vietnam-vet-splotation film that plays like First Blood filtered through The A‑Team instead of Sam Peckinpah. Directed by Steven Hilliard Stern, The Park is Mine is fast‑paced, earnest, entertaining, and flawed. There’s no question about the talent involved. Tommy Lee Jones brings a grounded intensity, Yaphet Kotto elevates every scene he’s in, and the supporting cast delivers exactly the kind of genre‑movie charm you want from a mid‑80s HBO original. Starring: Tommy Lee JonesHelen ShaverEric Peterson — Whit Bissell WinnerLawrence DanePeter Dvorsky — Whit Bissell WinnerYaphet Kotto The violence dialed down and the message… well, also dialed down. What it lacks in blood and thematic clarity, it replaces with brief nudity, explosions, and solid performances. The premise is compelling, even if the film doesn’t explore it deeply and seems to rely on your familiarity with other properties to fill in the emotional blanks. But here’s the thing: nostalgia carries weight. This movie is etched into the halcyon days of early HBO—when NeverEnding Story, Beastmaster, and Commando looped endlessly and everything felt like it clicked. Maybe we do love us some Tommy Lee Jones and Yaphet Kotto as well, there's probably some bias here but it is fair to say this is more of a worthwhile tangent than a hidden gem. Thanks for coming with us. Footnotes: [1] Unsubstantiated internet rumor[2][2] That I made up. The Park Is Mine is based on a 1981 novel of the same name by Stephen Peters, who also wrote the screen play for 1998's Wild Things.

    The Park is Mine (1985)

  8. Apr 27

    Seeds of Doom (Dr. Who 13.6, 1976

    Today Matt, Todd, and would‑be companion Mike travel through spacetime and land in the Antarctic for the 6th serial of the 13th season of the classic BBC series Doctor Who. “Seeds of Doom” originally aired from January 31 to March 6, 1976, and if you’re a fan of John Carpenter’s The Thing, Howard Hawks’ The Thing From Another World, or classic sci‑fi horror in general, you’re going to feel right at home. This is one of the earliest and most effective examples of British TV doing icy paranoia and creeping body‑horror on a shoestring. Even if you only know Doctor Who from its 21st‑century resurgence starting with Christopher Eccleston, this story is anchored by perhaps the most iconic Doctor of all time: Tom Baker. His mix of alien aloofness and manic energy are as legend as his scarf is iconic. The adventure begins at a remote Antarctic research base where a mysterious seed pod is unearthed; one that quickly draws the attention of Harrison Chase, a criminally unhinged botanist / eco‑terrorist / millionaire played with comic‑villain perfection by Tony Beckley. And every great villain needs a henchman: John Challis delivers a Whit BIssell-winning performance clean sweep as Scorby; a man who looks like he was born to menace people in cold climates. Whether you’re a longtime fan, a newcomer, or just someone who loves classic sci‑fi horror with a dash of British eccentricity, Seeds of Doom is one of the high points of the Tom Baker era. It’s atmospheric, creepy, funny, and surprisingly intense, definitely one of our highest recommendations.

    Seeds of Doom (Dr. Who 13.6, 1976
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4.7
out of 5
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About

Two brothers, Matt & Todd talk about their favorite movies. We cover mostly up to the 90s and talk about all manner of genre films from the 'loved', 'rejected', 'stupid', 'forgotten', 'hardly known', 'underappreciated, 'silly', and 'pointless'. If you're a fan of: John Carpenter, Walter Hill, Sam Peckinpah, Steven Spielberg, John Sturges, Stallone, Schwarzenegger. If you know: Strother Martin, Brion James, Peter Jason and Dick Miller And if you know where the Fourth Crown is: Follow us on Letterboxd, Twitter and Instagram: @MovieMattSirois

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Sirois
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    246
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Matt Sirois
  • Show Website
    Tv/Movie Rewind