Mindframe(s)

Dave Canfield and Michael Cockerill
  • 4.4 (5)
  • TV & FILM
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Each week Dave and Michael talk about film and where it fits in the larger social story.

  1. 3D AGO

    Episode 112- Nirvanna the Band the Show

    Mindframes Show Notes Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie (2026) Directed by: Matt Johnson Starring: Matt Johnson, Jay McCarrol Written by: Matt Johnson & Jay McCarrol Genre: Comedy / Time Travel / Meta Runtime: Approx. 100 minutes IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt (insert final ID) Episode Summary In this mini-episode of Mindframes, Michael and Dave review Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie, the long-awaited feature adaptation of the cult Canadian web series. When Matt and Jay's plan to finally book a show at Toronto's Rivoli goes catastrophically wrong, they accidentally travel back to 2008 — launching a chaotic, meta, Back-to-the-Future-inflected adventure through friendship, ego, and DIY filmmaking. Unlike our usual episodes, this discussion does not center on a formal thematic breakdown. Instead, we explore how Matt Johnson's latest film fits into his body of work (including BlackBerry, The Dirties, and Operation Avalanche), why this may be his most overtly comedic film, and how its sincerity sets it apart from darker contemporary comedies. We also discuss: The film's guerrilla filmmaking style The surprising twist that left audiences gasping The heavy (and self-aware) homage to Back to the Future Why this movie feels like an "anti-despair" comedy Both hosts ultimately give the film a strong recommendation. Thematic Reflection (Mini Version) Though this is not a full thematic episode, a through-line naturally emerges in the discussion: In a cultural moment saturated with irony and cynical humor, Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie chooses sincerity. Its characters are delusional and self-important, but they are also fundamentally kind — and that kindness becomes the emotional anchor of the film. The result is a comedy that feels both absurd and restorative. Timestamps Time Segment 00:00 Welcome & mini-episode format explanation 01:00 Synopsis & background on the original web series 04:45 Matt Johnson's filmography: The Dirties, Operation Avalanche, BlackBerry 10:30 Comedy style comparison (British awkwardness, Tim Robinson contrast) 15:00 Practical effects & low-budget filmmaking discussion 18:45 Back to the Future homage analysis 23:00 Spoiler warning 23:30 Dave's review (4/5) 26:45 Michael's review (4/5) 31:00 The twist & audience reaction 33:00 "Anti-despair" cinema & sincerity in comedy 37:00 Outro & upcoming films (The Bride, Project Hail Mary) Contact & Follow 🌐 Website: https://mindframesfilm.com 📘 Facebook: Mindframes Podcast 🎙️ Proud member of the Now Playing Network 📧 Email: info@mindframesfilm.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show — it helps other film lovers find us.

    41 min

  2. FEB 23

    Episode 111: Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die

    🎬 Mindframes Show Notes Episode 111 — Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die Film Credits Film: Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die Director: Gore Verbinski Writer: Matthew Robinson Starring: Sam Rockwell, Juno Temple, Michael Peña, Zazie Beetz, Haley Lu Richardson Genre: Sci-Fi / Time-Loop Thriller / Dark Comedy Release Year: 2025 IMDb: (Insert official link when available) Episode Summary Michael and Dave explore Gore Verbinski's genre-blending sci-fi film Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die, a time-loop story about a soldier attempting to stop a rogue artificial intelligence across repeated attempts. What begins as a chaotic, humorous sci-fi premise unfolds into a deeper philosophical discussion about repetition, control, and emotional detachment. Is the film a messy but ambitious meditation on gamified existence, or does its spectacle drown its humanity? The hosts debate whether infinite retries lead to growth — or erode meaning altogether. Thematic Discussion (Three-Sentence Core) The episode examines whether repetition creates growth or emotional numbness. Unlike Groundhog Day, where the protagonist is trapped until he becomes empathetic, this film presents a character who can reset at will — raising the question of whether control over repetition removes the stakes of human experience. Ultimately, the discussion centers on whether hope lies in continuing the loop — or in learning to step outside it. Episode Breakdown & Timestamps Time Segment 00:00 Intro — Welcome to Mindframes and film setup 00:40 Synopsis and premise discussion 02:40 Gore Verbinski's career and stylistic traits 06:15 Verbinski themes — characters trapped in systems 09:30 Writer Matthew Robinson and situational storytelling 12:45 Sam Rockwell as the emotional anchor of the film 15:45 Supporting cast: Juno Temple, Michael Peña, Zazie Beetz 17:40 Visual style, cinematography, and production design 19:45 Dave's review — spectacle, fun, and cinematic experience 22:10 Michael's review — messiness, tonal imbalance, and structure 27:00 Debate: Is the film visually spectacular? 33:00 Entering the Spoiler Section 34:00 Gamification and repetition as thematic core 36:00 Comparison to Groundhog Day — control vs entrapment 40:00 Hope, imperfection, and persistence (Dave's perspective) 43:30 Emotional detachment and numbness (Michael's perspective) 47:00 Does Sam Rockwell's character actually grow? 52:00 Homage, pastiche, and borrowing from genre films 56:00 Cult status, box office, and AI films in context 59:30 AI as character vs plot device — comparison to HAL End Closing reflections Final Ratings Dave: ★★★★☆ (4/5) A messy but engaging film where persistence, relationships, and the journey matter more than perfection. Michael: ★★★☆☆ (3/5) Ambitious and thought-provoking, but structurally uneven and emotionally diluted by spectacle. Contact & Follow 🌐 Website: https://mindframesfilm.com 📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/mindframesfilm 🎙 Now Playing Network: https://nowplayingnetwork.net 📧 Email: info@mindframesfilm.com

    1h 7m

  3. FEB 11

    Episode 110 - Send Help

    Episode 110 — Send Help Film Credits Title: Send Help Director: Sam Raimi Starring: Rachel McAdams, Dylan O'Brien, Dennis Haysbert, Chris Pang Genre: Survival Thriller / Dark Comedy / Psychological Horror Episode Summary In this episode, Michael and David examine Sam Raimi's Send Help, a survival thriller about two corporate survivors stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. What begins as a struggle for survival turns into a psychological battle for power, identity, and control. The discussion focuses heavily on Linda's transformation — whether the island reveals her true nature or corrupts her — and what the film suggests about power, resentment, and human nature. Three-Sentence Thematic Core Send Help explores what happens when social hierarchies collapse and survival becomes the only currency. The film questions whether power corrupts or merely reveals what was already present within a person. Linda's journey suggests a darker possibility: that the oppressed may replicate the very systems that once diminished them. Main Discussion Topic 1 — Linda's Transformation Starts as overlooked, competent, underappreciated worker Gains survival power → shifts into control and manipulation Film asks: Was this always Linda, or did the island create her? Topic 2 — Power and Reversal Corporate hierarchy collapses on the island Linda becomes capable / Bradley becomes helpless Echoes Triangle of Sadness: oppressed gaining power Topic 3 — Cynicism vs Revelation Linda mirrors the cruelty she once suffered The film may betray the "underdog triumph" trope Ending suggests survival ≠ moral growth Topic 4 — Raimi Style and Tone Mix of dark humor, physical horror, and thriller tension Use of Raimi-cam and kinetic physicality Balance between comedy, brutality, and psychological tension Topic 5 — Thin Plot, Strong Character Core Narrative is minimal: two people, one island, shifting dominance Rachel McAdams' performance carries emotional and thematic weight Film remains engaging through physical tension and character conflict Episode Ratings David: 4 / 5 Michael: 3 / 5 Strengths: Performance (McAdams) Physical humor and tension Raimi stylistic energy Weaknesses: Thin premise Murky ending Uneven CGI realism Closing / Contact Mindframes Film Podcast mindframesfilm.com Now Playing Network Facebook info@mindframesfilm.com

    1h 17m

  4. JAN 23

    Episode 109: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

    28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) Episode Summary: In this episode, Michael and Dave dissect 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the most visually ambitious and thematically rich installment in the iconic 28 Days Later franchise. They explore the film's eerie cult narrative, psychological undercurrents, and the shifting horror dynamics that turn humans into the real monsters. With Nia DaCosta in the director's chair and Alex Garland returning as writer, the film blends horror, satire, and surprising moments of hope. A rich conversation for fans of speculative horror and social allegory. 🎬 Cast & Crew Details – Who Made This Film and Why It Matters Director: Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels, Little Woods) Writer: Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation, Men, 28 Days Later) Cinematographer: Sean Bobbitt (12 Years a Slave, Widows, Hunger) Key Cast: Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Ian Kelson – a monument builder and reluctant scientist Alfie Williams as Spike – a returning survivor struggling with identity Jack O'Connell as Jimmy Crystal – the chilling, charismatic cult leader Chai Lewis-Perry as Samson – a towering infected in the midst of transformation ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics – Your Guide Through the Conversation Time Topic 00:00 Opening Banter & Setting the Stage for Bone Temple 00:41 Introducing the Film – Context Within the Franchise 01:19 Directorial Approach: Nia DaCosta's Vision & Filmography 02:24 Comparing to 2025's 28 Years Later – Evolution or Echo? 04:18 Characters Returning & The Cult of the Jimmies Introduced 07:34 Revisiting the Franchise's Viral Origins & Setting 10:01 Plot Overview: Bone Temples, Cults, and Scientific Obsession 10:44 Cinematography Upgrades & Visual Tone Shifts 13:26 Danny Boyle's Influence & Where DaCosta Departs 15:38 Narrative Tightness vs. Thematic Breadth 16:23 Box Office Woes & The "January Dump" Conspiracy 17:35 Jimmy Crystal as a Breakout Villain 18:18 Spoiler-Free Reviews: Performances, Style, and Reception 21:46 Ralph Fiennes' Complex Turn as Dr. Kelson 23:32 Missteps in Marketing & Missed Opportunities 26:20 Themes vs. Advertising: What the Film Really Offers 27:26 Final Thoughts and Personal Ratings ⚠️ Spoiler Discussion Highlights – Deeper Themes, Arcs, and Revelations The Jimmies as Symbol & Horror: The gang discusses how the Jimmies reflect societal decay, inspired by the real-life figure of Jimmy Savile. Their cultish behavior and unflinching cruelty mirror deeper fears about manipulation, lost innocence, and the rot at the core of community leadership. Samson's Redemption Arc: A standout element of the film, Samson's transformation from infected monster to near-human symbolizes the potential for recovery even in corrupted bodies and minds. His scenes with Dr. Kelson evoke tenderness, contrast with the Jimmies' savagery, and challenge the notion of what makes someone "monstrous." Human Evil vs. Infected Violence: The conversation explores how the infected, though dangerous, follow instinct—while the Jimmies choose cruelty. This blurs the line between traditional "monster" narratives and moral horror, echoing themes from Lord of the Flies and The Road. Visual Juxtaposition of Horror and Beauty: Bone temples, lush landscapes, and surreal moments (like cloud-gazing while high) create a strange harmony. These sequences ask whether beauty can exist in a world of collapse and whether healing is possible amid trauma. Cultural Legacy & Genre Evolution: Dave and Michael reflect on how the 28 franchise redefined the zombie genre, and how Bone Temple may mark a new phase—one that values emotional depth and psychological horror as much as jump scares. Mentioned in this Episode: Films: Candyman (2021), Widows, Red Dragon, Gangs of London, Deluge (1933) Cultural Figures: Jimmy Savile, Mr. Rogers Literary/Genre References: Lord of the Flies, The Walking Dead, Mad Max, Godzilla Connect with Us: Website: https://mindframesfilm.com

    1h 13m

  5. JAN 19

    Episode 108- What can we expect for 2026?

    Show Notes Film / Topic Title: Looking to 2026: The Future of Cinema Focus: Industry trends, cultural anxieties, and the most anticipated films of 2026 IMDb: N/A (discussion episode) Episode Summary In this episode of Mindframes, Michael and David look ahead to 2026 and ask a deceptively simple question: what kind of year will it be for movies? Coming off what they consider a creatively rich—but commercially uneven—2025, the conversation explores the tension between artistic vitality and economic uncertainty. From box office struggles and bloated marketing budgets to shifting audience habits and global cinema's rising influence, the hosts balance cautious concern with genuine excitement for what's coming next. Themes & Discussion Theme 1 – Cinema Thriving Creatively, Struggling Economically While 2025 delivered exceptional films and performances, many acclaimed movies failed to connect with large audiences. The episode interrogates whether this gap reflects streaming habits, rising costs, marketing excess, or deeper cultural fatigue with the theatrical model. Theme 2 – Event Movies vs. Personal Cinema The hosts contrast massive IP-driven releases (Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Part Three, Toy Story 5) with filmmaker-driven projects from auteurs like Nolan, Villeneuve, Gerwig, Eggers, Spielberg, and Iñárritu—questioning whether spectacle alone can sustain moviegoing culture. Theme 3 – Hope Through Global & Generational Shifts Despite storm clouds, there are signs of renewal: Gen Z showing renewed interest in theaters, international films breaking through, and genre cinema thriving on modest budgets. The episode argues that cinema isn't dying—it's recalibrating. Timestamps Time Topic 00:00 Intro & framing the question of 2026 05:30 Why 2025 was a great creative year 12:00 Box office disappointments & marketing excess 22:00 Streaming, audience fatigue, and cultural shifts 34:00 Big tentpoles vs. auteur-driven films 47:00 Superhero fatigue & the future of franchises 58:00 Dune, Nolan, Spielberg, and prestige cinema 01:12:00 Horror, genre films, and low-budget success stories 01:25:00 Why there's still reason to be hopeful 01:32:00 Final thoughts on where cinema is heading Hosts Michael Cockerill David Canfield Contact & Links 🌐 https://mindframesfilm.com 📘 Facebook: Mindframes Film 🎧 Now Playing Network ✉️ info@mindframesfilm.com

    1h 32m

  6. JAN 9

    Episode 107 - The Mindframes top 10 of 2025

    Mindframes — Best of 2025 Episode Title Best Films of 2025 — Trends, Themes, and the State of Cinema Film Information This is a multi‑film recap episode. Primary Shared Films Discussed: Weapons Eddington Hamnet Sinners One Battle After Another Train Dreams Universal Language Frankenstein Additional Films Referenced: It Was Just an Accident Ebony and Ivory Sirât The Zone of Interest Everything Everywhere All at Once Avatar: Fire and Ash Episode Summary In this year‑end episode of Mindframes, Michael Cockerill and David Canfield look back on what they agree was one of the strongest years in cinema in recent memory. Rather than ranking films strictly by quality, the discussion centers on how 2025's movies reflected the emotional, cultural, and political realities of the moment. The hosts explore major technical trends—such as the return of controlled formalism, the renewed importance of sound design, and a more disciplined use of CGI—before turning to deeper thematic currents running through the year's films. Across genres, 2025 cinema repeatedly grappled with loss, systemic failure, alienation, and the fragile possibility of hope. The episode concludes with personal picks, shared favorites, and a defense of films that dared to resist cynicism through human connection and formal craft. Themes & Discussion Controlled Formalism Returns Many of the standout films of 2025 rejected frenetic camera work in favor of classical composition—locked‑off shots, wide frames, symmetry, and negative space. This stylistic restraint allowed emotion to emerge gradually rather than being chased by the camera. Films like Hamnet exemplified how formal discipline can deepen emotional resonance and restore cinematic patience. Sound, Silence, and the Off‑Screen World Sound design emerged as a dominant expressive tool, often prioritizing diegetic and off‑screen audio over traditional sweeping scores. Silence itself became a source of tension, especially in horror, where absence of sound replaced musical cues. This trend reflects both creative evolution and the challenge of balancing theatrical sound design with home viewing habits. Loss, Systems, and the Crisis of Hope Across genres, filmmakers returned obsessively to stories of missing or dead children, institutional collapse, and moral ambiguity. These narratives frame despair as a defining emotional condition of the era, while asking whether hope can survive systemic pressure. Some films embraced the darkness; others, like Universal Language, quietly resisted it through small acts of human connection. ⏱ Timestamp Breakdown Time Topic 00:00 Episode introduction & format 02:00 Why 2025 was a great year for film 03:00 Controlled formalism & visual trends 07:00 Superhero films & genre reinvention 10:00 Sound design, silence, and scoring 18:00 CGI vs practical effects 21:00 Lighting: flat vs dynamic 25:00 Thematic trends: children, systems, despair 32:00 Criteria for personal picks 35:00 Dave's picks: Train Dreams & Ebony and Ivory 42:00 Michael's picks: It Was Just an Accident & Universal Language 50:00 Shared Top Films discussion 1:18:00 Final reflections on cinema & culture Hosts Michael Cockerill David Canfield Links & Contact 🌐 https://mindframesfilm.com 📘 Facebook 🎧 Now Playing Network ✉️ info@mindframesfilm.com Mindframes is a sometimes half‑assed but always wholehearted conversation about film, culture, and the moments that shape us.

    2h 8m

  7. 12/13/2025

    Epsode 106 - Hamnet

    🎧 Episode Title: Hamnet and the Ghosts We Inherit 🎮 Film Discussed: Hamnet (2025) 🗓️ Release Date: December 13, 2025 🎧 Hosts: Michael & David ⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights: 00:00 – Intro Michael and David introduce the show and kick off discussion of Hamnet, Chloe Zhao's adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's novel. 00:48 – Film Overview Chloe Zhao's recent directorial triumph, premiere at TIFF, her filmography from Nomadland to Eternals, and Hamnet's awards buzz. 02:23 – Plot & Themes The story centers on Agnes Hathaway and her marriage to Shakespeare, their shared grief over their son Hamnet's death, and how personal loss influenced artistic creation. 04:11 – Cinematography by Lukasz Zal Discussion of Zal's previous work (The Zone of Interest, Loving Vincent), his visual storytelling, use of natural light, and the film's stunning forest imagery. 06:15 – Book Origins and Historical Context Exploration of Maggie O'Farrell's novel, historical liberties, Shakespeare's personal life, and their dramatized relationship. 10:00 – Jesse Buckley as Agnes Performance praise and her emotional depth, evolution from earlier roles (I'm Thinking of Ending Things, The Lost Daughter). 17:00 – Paul Mescal as Shakespeare A restrained but complex portrayal. Debate over his reception compared to Buckley's, and reflections on artistic introspection. 23:00 – Visual Language & Direction Comparison to Zone of Interest, Chloe Zhao's style (landscapes, close-ups), forest symbolism, and interiority of grief. 30:00 – Pacing & Emotional Resonance Defense of the film's slow pace, importance of patient visuals, and building emotional payoff. 35:00 – Art vs Family Sacrifice Broader film trends about artistic sacrifice, complexity of Shakespeare as a father, and cultural reflections. 45:00 – Critical Response & Awards Speculation David and Michael reflect on Oscars potential, critical responses, and "devastating" as a recurring descriptor. 47:00 – Third Act & Theatrical Closure A spoiler-free nod to the finale's emotional crescendo, visual poetry, and synthesis of nature and performance. 50:00 – Final Reviews Michael gives it 5 stars, calls it a career-best for Buckley; David praises its emotional impact and timeless resonance. 🧠 Final Takeaways: Theme(s): Grief, art as legacy, sacrifice, nature vs language, emotional communication, family and connection. Mindframe(s) Rating: 5/5 haunted honeybees 🐝 Listener Question: How do you process grief—through nature, through storytelling, or something else entirely?

    1h 17m

  8. 11/11/2025

    Episode 105 - Bugonia

    Bugonia Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos Written by: Will Tracy and Jang Joon-hwan Starring: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aiden Delvis, Alicia Silverstone, Stavros Halkias Cinematography: Not specified (shot on VistaVision, 35mm, Willcam equipment) Release: 2025 IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12300742/ 🎧 Episode Summary In this episode, Dave and Michael dive deep into Bugonia, the latest satirical and enigmatic offering from Yorgos Lanthimos. With a plot centering on two conspiracy-minded men who kidnap a powerful CEO they believe to be an alien, the hosts explore Lanthimos' signature blend of absurdism, social critique, and tonal precision. The conversation touches on thematic elements like power hierarchies, detachment from humanity, and the inescapable dynamics of empathy. Throughout, Dave and Michael reflect on Lanthimos' evolving filmography, his standout collaborations with Emma Stone, and the fascinating psychological and visual language of the film. 🧠 Thematic Discussion Bugonia offers a searing satire of corporate detachment, power inversion, and societal alienation. The film explores how humanity is distorted by institutional power, media messaging, and emotional denial. Through its bizarre plot and aesthetic choices, it challenges viewers to empathize with morally gray characters and question the systems that produce them. ⏱️ Major Segments & Timestamps Time Segment Description 00:00 Introduction Dave and Michael introduce the episode and set the tone with a brief synopsis of Bugonia. 01:00 Yorgos Lanthimos' Filmography Discussion of Lanthimos' previous works like The Favourite, Poor Things, The Lobster, and how Bugonia fits into his oeuvre. 03:00 Themes of Power & Hierarchy Analysis of power dynamics and hierarchical inversions common in Lanthimos' films. 06:00 Empathy and Detachment Examination of how the film toys with emotional distance and the audience's capacity to empathize. 10:00 Emma Stone's Performance A focus on Stone's physicality, transformation, and recurring collaborations with Lanthimos. 13:00 Supporting Cast Breakdown of performances by Jesse Plemons, Alicia Silverstone, Stavros Halkias, and Aiden Delvis. 20:00 Visual Style & Cinematography Conversation about the film's use of camera angles, lens choice, lighting, and aspect ratio to reflect power and control. 25:00 Corporate Satire & Alien Allegory The hosts unpack the film's critique of corporate culture and dehumanization. 33:00 Spoiler Territory A deeper dive into specific scenes, character arcs, and philosophical implications, including a heated debate on "inhumanity" and moral ambiguity. 🌐 Contact & Links Website: mindframesfilm.com Facebook: facebook.com/mindframesmovies Network: Now Playing Network Email: info@mindframesfilm.com

    1h 19m
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About

Each week Dave and Michael talk about film and where it fits in the larger social story.

Information

  • Creator
    Dave Canfield and Michael Cockerill
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Mindframe(s)