Epsiode 021: Daoist/Buddhist Space Buddy Cops

March 04, 2021 by Michael Boyce

In this episode, I’m taking with my friend and Star Wars geek Jason Dueck about the Jedi. Jason's a fellow former writer for Area of Effect and spearheaded their podcast, Infinity Plus 1.

Jason describes what he thinks many fans get wrong about these most famous of Star Wars characters. We talk about characters who live by strict codes and how that functions narratively. Jason gets into the prequel representations of Jedi, Luke's reformation of the Jedi in the now non-canonical Star Wars Legends, and the portrayal of Luke in Rian Johnson's controversial The Last Jedi.

You can follow Jason on Twitter @vorpaljason

I respectfully acknowledge that I live in and work on Treaty One Territory and in the traditional homeland of the Métis nation.

Episode 020: I Wish My Brother George Was Here

February 14, 2021 by Michael Boyce

This week, I'm sharing the audio of an interview I did with my friend and mentor, George Toles. Those of you familiar with the structure and style of my interviews will notice that this one is different. George invited me to record a conversation for his Hitchcock class about two of my favourite Hitchcock films, The 39 Steps and North By Northwest. So he's interviewing me. It’s a huge honour to have been asked. and it was a delightful conversation. We talked for almost three hours - only an hour of which we recorded. I'm grateful he's allowed me to use the audio for Geek 4.

George is an academic, a teacher, a screenwriter, director, actor. He is Distinguished Professor in the English, Theatre, Film and Media Department at the University of Manitoba. To some, people he’s best known for his collaborations with filmmaker Guy Maddin. George wrote or co-wrote the screenplays for such films as Archangel (1990), Careful (1992), Twilight of the Ice Nymphs (1997), The Saddest Music in the World (2003), and Keyhole (2011). He also wrote the dialogue for Guy’s docu-fantasy, My Winnipeg (2007). He wrote the screenplay for Neil Burns’ stop motion film, Edison and Leo (2008). He’s published dozens of scholarly essay and two books on film, A House Made of Light and the book on Paul Thomas Anderson for The University of Illinois Press’s director series.

George Toles as Countess Knotkers In Guy Maddin’s Careful (1992) — George Toles as Countess Knotkers In Guy Maddin’s *Careful* (1992)

Episode 019: Bizarre Cards

February 08, 2021 by Michael Boyce

This week, I talk about one of my latest obessions: strange Victorian greeting cards. It started over the Christmas holidays, with posting these weird Christmas cards on my social media. I’ve moved on to New Years Cards and am currently sharing bizarre Victorian Valentine’s Day cards.

A loving Christmas greeting....from this ex bird.

Nothing says “Happy Christmas” like a jester teasing a man in the stocks

Let’s have a good old fashioned Christmas.... kidnapping and traumatizing children.

When Tommy Snowman told Meg that she'd ”always be in his heart, ” she understood that very differently than Tommy.

Episode 018: Draining 3s with Matt Shantz

January 28, 2021 by Michael Boyce

Today I’m talking with my friend (and former coworker) Matt Shantz. Matt’s a huge basketball fan and a devotee of the Toronto Raptors. We talk about discovering basketball as a Canadian kid, how he started writing about basketball and the Raptors for Raptors Republic, and the role surprise 2014 draft pick Bruno Caboclo played in his life.

Matt and I briefly reminisce about trading tweets with Melissa Fumero of Brooklyn 99 and I ask the standard basketball question about Matt’s personal dream team.

You can follow Matt on Twitter at @m_shantz and read his stuff over at Raptors Republic

Episode 017: Trees of (Fire and) Ice

January 11, 2021 by Michael Boyce

This is the new,large ice pyramid David talks aboutCourtesy of D Falk @ https://www.facebook.com/winnipegfirenice — This is the new,large ice pyramid David talks about
Courtesy of D Falk @ https://www.facebook.com/winnipegfirenice

For this episode, I’m joined by my good friend, David Falk (of https://workplaceconflict.ca) . David messaged me over the Christmas holidays and excitedly told me that he discovered what he’s a geek 4. I knew I had to have him on the podcast.

David recalls his 12 year passion of making ice trees for his front yard and all the experimentation he’s done with making them. He also describes the ice-making community he’s discovered and becoming “WInnipeg famous” for his creations.

David’s also starting selling kits for people to make their own ice trees (*water not inlcuded) and you can learn more HERE

Courtesy of D Falk @ https://www.facebook.com/winnipegfirenice

Episode 016: You (Still) Don't know me, part 2 of Answering Your Questions

December 13, 2020 by Michael Boyce

In this final episode of 2020, I answer some more of your questions. i discuss how many fandoms might be too many; describe what I’ve learned about the things I love since doing this podcast; confess my love of an annual sing-along event (where I even dress up).

I talk about where I plan to take the podcast in the future and try to be honest about some of the struggles of doing this as a one-person show., particularly how hard I sometimes find it to ask people to be guests. (P.S. If you have something you’re a superfan for and would like to be a guest, please, let me know).

As I discuss, I’m going to be taking a few weeks off for the holidays, backl I will be back in the New Year for more conversations about things people are passionate about.

They got the mustard out.

This is from the Buffy/Dr Horrible Sing Along event. If you’re in Winnipeg, it’s great fun. The photo was taken by the ridiculously talented @elliana_allon. Follow her on Instagram.

Episode 015: Dr. Mandy Elliott Presents... Alfred Hitchcock

December 06, 2020 by Michael Boyce

In this episode I'm talking to my friend and colleague, Dr. Mandy Elliott about her love of Alfred Hitchcock. Mandy explains how much delight her grandmother took introducing her and her younger sister to the films of Alfred Hitchcock. Mandy's grandma sounds like an awesome person.

Mandy and I discuss our own use of Hitchcock in the classroom, which films work well with University students and we talk a lot about Rear Window, especially Grace Kelly. We discuss Hitchcock's less appreciated British period, which is my personal favourite, spending a lot of time on The Lady Vanishes, particularly Margaret Rutherford and Charters and Caldicot (@ChartersandC).

You can follow Mandy Elliott on Twitter @mandy_elliott

You can follow me on Twitter @mwboyce to pass along feedback or ideas. I'd love to hear from you.

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @geek4pod and on Instagram @geek4pod

I respectfully acknowledge that I live in and work on Treaty One Territory and in the traditional homeland of the Métis nation.

Episode 014: You Don't Know Me, answering questions Part the First

November 30, 2020 by Michael Boyce

This week I'm answering listeners' questions. I put the call on social media few weeks back, asking people to send me their questions about my fandoms. I was overwhelmed with the response. This is part one.

Here, I talk about my path to becoming a professor, the different subjects I was considering, and the influence of my advisor, George Toles, on my path; I describe many geeky things that I own that reflect my loves of Indiana Jones, the original Degrassi, sci-fi, Twin Peaks, comic books, and Breaking Bad; for your amusement, I relive my traumatic history with Doctor Who; and I discuss some current things I'm working on, including a featured role in an upcoming documentary, The Science Fiction Makers!

Episode 013: Tangled Up with Bobby and Michael Gilmour

November 22, 2020 by Michael Boyce

On this week's show, I talk with Dr. Michael Gilmour about Bob Dylan. Michael teaches at Providence University College. He's a serious Dylan fan, having written two books on the man and his music.

OUr conversation covers Dylan's many musical periods, the experience of seeing Dylan in concert, the conscious reinventions, and even Dylan’s flirtation with film. Michael even suggests a very obscure song he'd include if he were ever tasked with compiling a new Greatest Hits.

You can find Michael on Twitter @michaeljgilmour and Instagram @michaeljgilmourYou can follow me on Twitter @mwboyce to pass along feedback or ideas.

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @geek4pod and on Instagram @geek4pod

I respectfully acknowledge that I live in and work on Treaty One Territory and in the traditional homeland of the Métis nation.

Episode 012: Catching the Trane with Jamie Howison

November 15, 2020 by Michael Boyce

This week I’m talking with Jamie Howison about John Coltrane and jazz. Jamie, an Anglican priest, recounts his own journey with jazz and specifically his deepening fandom of John Coltrane, which lead to him writing a book about Trane, God's Mind in That Music (2012). We discuss Coltrane’s work with other legends - Theolonious Monk and Miles Davis; his solo work and experimental sound; as well as his ongoing and evolving spirituality expressed in his later works like A Love Supreme and Meditations.

You can find more of Jamie’s writing and learn more about his upcoming book at jamiehowison.ca