North of Normal
Film, TV & Pop Culture
About
Hosted by Andrew Hunter Scholey, North of Normal invites a different guest bi-weekly to come and discuss Canadian films, their impact, and what they say about Canada. * Intro and Outro music by Dad vs Son (https://dadvsson.bandcamp.com) * This podcast is dedicated to Rae Perigoe Follow on BlueSky: @northofnormalpod.bsky.social Follow on Instagram: @NorthofNormalPod
Episodes
- Episode 126: "CFNY: The Spirit of Radio" (2026)
In North of Normal Episode 126, host Andrew Hunter Scholey and guest Randell Neudorf discuss the documentary "CFNY: The Spirit of Radio" (2026). They share experiences of growing up with the station's influence on their musical tastes and…
- Episode 125: "Garth & Gord & Fiona & Alice" (1982)
North of Normal revisits the SCTV sketch "Garth & Gord & Fiona & Alice" (1982) and discusses its roots in the film "Goin' Down The Road." The conversation also touches on Maritime Canadian history and the '60s maritime migration.
- Episode 124: "The Girl Who Cried Pearls" (2025)
James Thornton returns to the show to discuss "The Girl Who Cried Pearls," an animated short film nominated for an Academy Award. The conversation covers Clyde Henry Productions, the film's creation, and broader views on the Oscars and art…
- Episode 123: "Paying for It" (2024)
Andrew Hunter Scholey and Melissa Jean Miller analyze the 2024 film adaptation of Chester Brown's memoir 'Paying For It', directed by Sook-Yin Lee. The discussion covers its success as an adaptation, Lee's directorial work, and the film's…
- Episode 122: "Darkest Miriam" (2024)
In "Darkest Miriam" (2024), hosts Andrew Hunter Scholey and Melissa Jean Miller discuss Naomi Jaye's film adaptation of Martha Ballie's novel "The Incident Report." The conversation touches on the film's star Britt Lower, themes of grief,…
- Episode 121: "Murder by Decree" (1979)
In this one, Colin Everet and Andrew Hunter Scoley discuss the Bob Clark-directed Holmes/Ripper mystery, "Murder By Decree" (1979). They discuss the great performances including a stunning brief turn from Geneviève Bujold, what sets this o…
- Episode 120: "The Trouble with Tracy" (1970-1971)
After a busy life hiatus, host Andrew Hunter Scholey is back to make James Thornton watch what is widely considered to be one of the worst sitcoms ever made. They have a chat about the situation comedy in general, then they turn their thou…
- Episode 119: "Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II" (1987)
James Thornton is back with Andrew Hunter Scholey to dive back into the world of the Canadian slasher film with "Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II" (1987). Is this an actual sequel to the original classic, "Prom Night" (1980)? Is this film an…
- Episode 118: "Monkey Warfare" (2006)
Guest Colin Everett and host Andrew Hunter Scholey discuss "Monkey Warfare" (2006). A film that's been on the list to-do for a while. This episode they also discuss direct action activism, specifically the nearly forgotten Canadian activis…
- Episode 117: "Valerie" (1969)
In this episode, Ryan Barnett returns to discuss his latest projects with host Andrew Hunter Scholey. They include his recent series "Story Girl" about beloved author Lucy Maud Montgomery, and his upcoming series about another beloved Cana…
- Episode 116: "The F Word" (2013)
Who could talk for over an hour and a half about the Daniel Radcliffe/Adam Driver-starring romcom? James Thornton and Andrew Hunter Scholey can of course.... Take the romantic plunge as they discuss the careers of the film's young cast, so…
- Episode 115: "It's All Gone Pete Tong" (2004)
In this episode, Andrew Hunter Scoley and Colin Everett sit down to discuss "It's All Gone Pete Tong" (2004): the second feature film by Canadian FUBAR director Michael Dowse. Is this even a Canadian film? What does the film's title even m…
- Episode 114: "Spider" (2002)
Skyler Greencorn and Andrew Hunter Scholey dust the cobwebs off of the Cronenberg series and return with a doozy: David Cronenberg's criminally under seen 2002 film, "Spider". They explore where is David at this point in his career. Why no…
- Episode 113: "Backspot" (2023)
In this episode Andrew Hunter Scholey and Melissa Jean Miller take a serious dive into a serious look into the world of competitive cheerleading. First they talk about some changes at the show, including a fun new art project on the podcas…
- Episode 112: "My Bloody Valentine" (1981)
In this episode, host Andrew Hunter Scholey and James Thornton get into the Valentine's spirit with an episode they've been meaning to do since day one. How is this film through the lens of those living in Nova Scotia, where the movie was…
- Episode 111: "Heartbeat" (2014)
This episode we dive back into the world of Director/Writer, Andrea Dorfman. Host Andrew Hunter Scholey and returning guest Melissa Jean Miller discuss Dorfman's 2014 film collaboration with musician/poet Tany Davis, "Heartbeat". They also…
- Episode 110: "Rumours" (2024)
RUMOURS! GUY MADDIN! Since it's been a bit, Colin Everett and Andrew Hunter Scholey take a massive dive into the highly anticipated new release by one of Canada's greatest directors! Where has Guy Maddin been for the last decade? Why is Ca…
- Episode 109: "The Grey Fox" (1982)
James Thornton returns to discuss a fav of host Andrew Hunter Scholey. They tackle the career of director Phillip Borsos, the unusual production of the film, and Hunter has another chance to gush about one of his favourite actors, Richard…
- Episode 108: "Whale Music" (1994)
In this episode, Colin Everett is back to discuss "Whale Music" (1994). They tackle not just the film, but also the novel it is based on, the author of the novel and the screenwriter of the film Paul Quarrington, and the band that provided…
- Episode 107: "Log Driver's Waltz" (1979)
In this dense episode tackling this NFB Canadian classic, James Thornton and Andrew Hunter Scholey cover (checks notes).... The historical log drivers and their importance in Canada's development as a country; the song's composer Wade Hems…
- Episode 106: "Owning Mahowny" (2003)
This episode, Colin Everett returns to talk about the underrated classic, "Owning Mahowny" (2003). With host Andrew Hunter Scholey, they discuss the career of the film's star, Philip Seymour Hoffman, depictions of addiction in film, and no…
- Episode 105: "The Movie Man" (2024)
This episode Melissa Jean Miller joins Andrew Hunter Scholey to discuss the recent documentary, "The Movie Man" (2024) and also their trip to the subject of the film, The Highland Cinemas in Kenmount, Ontario.
- Episode 104: "New Waterford Girl" (1999)
James Thornton is back because he wanted to discuss "New Waterford Girl" (1999), a unique coming of age film set in Cape Breton. His conversation with host Andrew Hunter Scholey covers a wide variety of topics, among which are the surprisi…
- Episode 103: "Threshold" (1981)
With the passing of Canadian acting legend Donald Sutherland, Andrew Hunter Scholey and James Thornton decided to delay their previously planned episode. Instead they are discussing Sutherland's films produced in Canada and abroad. Then th…
- Episode 102: "The Railrodder" (1965)
Returning to NoN is Ryan Barnett, the host of the podcast "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North". Ryan has also written a graphic novel about silent film star Buster Keaton. One of Keaton's final films was a project with the Canadian Nation…
- Episode 101: "Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent - 'Minnow and the Shark'" (2024)
So, NoN host Andrew Hunter Scholey decided to watch that new Toronto-based "Law & Order" show that just came out. When he came across the episode that was "ripped from the headlines" about the Canadian bread price-fixing scandal "Minnow an…
- Bonus - "How I Wrote This - Episode 7"
While the latest NoN wraps production, our friends at Knockabout Media have been producing a great show called "How I Wrote This". In this show, host Pamela Hensly interviews various authors of various media about what shapes their art. In…
- Episode 100: "Twitch City" (1998-2000) - Season 2, Episode 8: "Planet of the Cats"
Well, NoN has made it to its hundredth episode. And to celebrate, James Thornton stopped by to have a very brief chat with Andrew Hunter Scholey about possibly the greatest episode of television ever.
- Episode 99: "The Cat Came Back" (1988)
James Thornton and Andrew Hunter Scholey sit down to discuss the beloved animated film "The Cat Came Back" (1988) as well as the career of animator/director Cordell Barker. Intro/Outro music for this episode is by Old Reverend Randell. Lis…
- Episode 98: "eXistenZ" (1999)
Turns out host Andrew Hunter Scholey and returning Cronenberg series co-host Skyler Greencorn have a lot to say about "eXistenZ" (1999).
- Episode 97: "Goon" (2011)
This episode: two people who are not sports fans discuss a film about Hockey. It's host Andrew Hunter Scholey and James Thornton having the chat.
- Bonus Episode: Interview with Douglas Bowie
Host Andrew Hunter Scholey is fortunate to have a chat with screenwriter and playwright Douglas Bowie about his involvement with the 1986 biopic "The Boy In Blue".
- Episode 96: "The Boy in Blue" (1986)
After gremlins caused a bunch of technical issues, host Andrew Hunter Scholey eventually sat down with Colin Everett to discuss the early Nicolas Cage-starring rowing epic, "The Boy In Blue" (1986)! Flustered and saltier than normal, they…
- Episode 95: "Therapy Dogs" (2022)
This episode, North of Normal is delighted to sit down and have a chat with Ethan Eng. Ethan is the co-writer and director of the incredible film "Therapy Dogs" (2022), a film about creativity and high school. Check out Ethan's film and jo…
- Episode 94: "BlackBerry" (2023)
This episode, North of Normal is thrilled to have Matthew Kieswetter returning to discuss "BlackBerry" (2023)! With host Andrew Hunter Scholey, they discuss their relationships with technology, what this film has to say about Matthew's hom…
- Episode 93: "Stories We Tell" (2012)
It's New Years Day 2024. Andrew Hunter Scholey and Melissa Jean Miller are hanging about. They are up and motivated after the previous evening's festivities and are going to discuss Sarah Polley's amazing third feature, "Stories We Tell" (…
- Episode 92: "The Saddest Music in the World" (2003)
In this episode we have Ryan Barnett on to venture back into the world of Winnipeg director, Guy Maddin! Ryan is the host of his own podcast about Canadian media titled "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood North" that everyone should listen to.…
- Episode 91: "Anne of Green Gables" (1985)
Melissa Jean Miller returns to help host Andrew Hunter Scholey tackle the most beloved Canadian film ever made. How does it hold up almost 40(!) years later? How does it compare to the many adaptations of the beloved novel (of which there…
- Episode 90: "Neighbours" (1952)
This one is a doozy. Tackling a giant of Canadian cinema, Andrew Hunter Scholey and James Thornton sit down to discuss Norman McLaren. Possibly the most influential filmmaker in Canadian history, there is a lot to unpack. To discuss Norman…
- Episode 89: "Crash" (1996)
Skyler Greencorn returns to discuss one of David Cronenberg's most controversial films, "Crash" (1996). With host Andrew Hunter Scholey, they discuss "the sex car crash film", the psychology of the car and driving as well as a couple of od…
- Episode 88: "Ravenous" (2017)
For a Halloween episode, Andrew Hunter Scholey and Colin Everett spun the big wheel of Canadian horror and it landed the 2017 Quebecois zombie film, "Ravenous". What are their opinions of a film neither had seen before? How does this film…
- Episode 87: "Beast Wars" (1996-1999)
Regular co-host (and big Transformers fan) James Thornton has been after Andrew Hunter Scholey for years to talk about Beast Wars, as well as Vancouver animation studio Mainframe. So Hunter-- for the first time-- sat down and watched some…
- Episode 86: "Take This Waltz" (2011)
In this episode, Melissa Jean Miller returns to discuss the second film of Sarah Polley's directorial carrier, "Take This Waltz" (2011). Along with host Andrew Hunter Scholey, they discuss and work through their complicated feelings of the…
- Episode 85: "Chowboys: An American Folktale" (2018)
First time guest Glen Carabin joins host Andrew Hunter Scholey to discuss the 2018 Astron-6 short film, "Chowboys: An American Folk Tale" (2018)! They get around to doing a surprising deep dive into all things snowy cowboy cannibalism (and…
- Episode 84: "Of Unknown Origin" (1983)
In this episode, James Thornton returns and wants to talk about a movie where Peter Weller fights a giant rat! Of course since it happens to be a Canadian film, host Andrew Hunter Scholey agreed. They also talk about the NFB documentary, "…
- Episode 83: "I've Heard the Mermaids Singing" (1987)
Once again Mellisa Miller joins Andrew Hunter Scholey to discuss this landmark of Canadian and Queer Cinema, "I've Heard the Mermaids Singing" (1987). Topics covered are the background and career of writer/director Patricia Rozema, what it…
- Episode 82: "Siege" (1983)
Colin Everett returns with host Andrew Hunter Scholey to discuss "Siege" (1983): a hidden gem of a low budget film shot in the early days of the Halifax film scene. Topics include film preservation, the role police play in our society, and…
- Episode 81: "Blood and Donuts" (1995)
James Thornton is back to discuss the Toronto-set "Blood and Donuts" (1995) with host Andrew Hunter Scholey. They also discuss vampires and their evolution in media, as well as what David Cronenberg was up to as an actor in the early 90s.
- Episode 80: "PG: Psycho Goreman" (2020)
After a couple of years of trying, long time guests James Thornton and Skyler Greencorn finally assemble with host Andrew Hunter Scholey to have a chat about "PG: Psycho Goreman" (2020).
- Episode 79: "Away from Her" (2006)
With this episode, Melissa Miller returns to discuss with host Andrew Hunter Scholey the early acting career and the feature directing debut of Sarah Polley.