Explore every episode of the podcast Movies That Matter

For the special 50th episode, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jaws, Chris chats with Martha's Vineyard native and Actor Jeffrey Voorhees, who played the young Alex Kintner that became the shark's second victim.

Listen in as Jeff shares stories of living on the island while they filmed like terrorizing Robert Shaw with his friends or messing around on the mechanical shark after-hours. Hear about some of the wildest Cameos he's had to film for Jaws fans, and reuniting with his onscreen mother Lee Fierro years later. Plus a surprise encounter with the President's Secret Service?!

Visit http://thedeadalexkintner.com for more with Jeff!

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In honor of the 75th anniversary of Charles Schultz's Peanuts, Chris takes an episode to himself to talk about the significance and timeless message of their first feature film, 1969's 'A Boy Named Charlie Brown'

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Toonrific Tariq Analysis of 'A Boy Named Charlie Brown' https://youtu.be/NJPpbx1qDQg?si=FhDcLlD4xaSi2-x_

Veras Connolly returns to introduce Chris to the anime series Yo-Kai Watch, and its first-ever feature film, and how its artwork and premise inspires their work to this day.

Subscribe to Veras on Youtube and find more of their work:

https://www.youtube.com/@verasconnolly

https://linktr.ee/bioprismstudios

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As the title suggests, , the Movies That Matter mantra ("Entertainment is subjective, and that's not a bad thing") is on full-display this episode , as Chris and show veteran Liz Gillespie each share three films that are not exactly universally loved, but loved by them all the same.

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Chris chats with his old mentor, Tricia L. Woods, Writer and Video Production Educator, on her new book 'Short Scripts for Film Students' and the overlooked 2015 animated-fantasy-musical from the mind of George Lucas, 'Strange Magic'.

Find Tricia's book and other works: https://www.awkwardsilencestudio.com

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May 12th 2025 marked eighty years since the world was first introduced to the world of Thomas The Tank Engine and Friends. In celebration of that, Chris is joined by Brannon Carty, Director of the documentary-film "An Unlikely Fandom: The Impact of Thomas The Tank Engine" which shines a light on the lasting connection 'Thomas' has had on those who grew up with it, including Brannon and Chris.

Visit www.unlikelyfandom.com for news and updates on the film

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Liz Gillespie returns for her landmark eleventh episode to discuss Dreamworks Animation's 2024 masterpiece, in a super-sized summer episode that touches on everything from streaming, the Oscars, live-action remakes, pet ownership, and is Cars 2 overrated???

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Stephanie Azzarello-Giglio, Ambulatory Clinic Supervisor II at Boston Children's Hospital and fellow alum of Quinnipiac University, returns to the pod to discuss Wicked. The worldwide phenomenon leaped from stage to screen last year, and its held a special place in her heart since childhood.

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Not every film makes it out of the festival circuit. Jonathan Kasdan's The First Time premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012, and while it may have only received a limit release outside of Park City, it has remained a personal favorite for Chris and his guest Margaret Schimpf, fellow Quinnipiac Film Alum, and Senior Manager of Technical Onboarding - Media Ingest & Governance for Paramount Global.

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Street artists probably know better than anyone that art doesn't have to be temporary. Art can and must be preserved. Chris is joined by Daniel Barbour, Programming Director of the Burlington Public Library to discuss Banksy's mind-boggling, thought-provoking 2010 documentary Exit Through The Gift Shop

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Dr. Strangelove is a film that gets scarier (and maybe even funnier) as time goes on. Chris chats with Mike Wick, Director of the Burlington Public Library, on Stanley Kubrick's 1964 political comedy.

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'The Emperor's New Groove' was a major turning point in Disney Animation history, and while it may not have found its audience right away, today it is considered one of Disney's very best.This year marks the film's twenty-fifth anniversary. Chris is joined by special guest Megan Powell aka "Megan The Magical Millennial" for a deep-Disney-dive into The Emperor's New Groove, including everything from its lasting legacy, to a brainstorm session on how Disney Parks can show the film more love (Spinach Puffs for purchase, please!)

There's no denying the films of the late David Lynch have had an impact on audiences over the years. Regular Movies That Matter guest joins Chris for a special tribute to the work of David Lynch, focusing on three of her personal favorites: Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, and Mullholland Drive.

If there's three things you can take away from Ice Age, they're protect your herd, family isn't always blood, and this movie is just really funny. Nick Giglio returns to discuss Blue Sky Studio's debut film which was released in 2002.

Remakes, reboots, reimaginings, and adaptations. Hollywood may be running short on creativity, but these films are still making connections with audiences (Just by looking at the box office alone). In the second installment of Liz Gillespie's 'comeback tour' to Movies That Matter, she and Chris discuss the relationships audiences have with remakes and the like.

Merry January Fourth?? Liz Gillespie returns in a Movies That Matter first, where she and Chris discuss this recent trend of more mature, edgier holiday films where Santa Claus is portrayed as cynical, grouchy, buff, bloodthirsty, etc. What effects do films like Fatman, Violent Night, and Red One have on audiences, and what connections can they form with them?

Who ever could've guessed the origin of the video game Tetris was set to a backdrop of the Soviet Union's collapse, and almost caused an international incident? Not me! Veras Connolly returns to the podcast to discuss 2023's Tetris, starring Aaron Edgerton. A political thriller of a biopic, the film also has a lot to say about protecting art and freedom of speech.

Books can hold just a special place in our hearts as movies can! It's quite an experience when a beloved book is adapted into a major motion picture. Friend, colleague, and longtime Tolkien fan Rich Hosford joins Chris for a deep dive into Middle Earth and an analysis of Peter Jackson's blockbuster trilogy.

Joy Hosford returns for a special spooky season episode to introduce Chris (and listeners) to the 2018 found-footage horror film from South Korea, Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum. Joy details her journey into the horror genre, how she came across this hidden gem from overseas, and why this film may be just as relevant today as it was six years ago.

And stay tuned next month for her husband's Movies That Matter debut...

Chris is joined by friend and colleague John Viaes to discuss a shared favorite film, 1988's Who Framed Roger Rabbit directed by Robert Zemeckis. Roger Rabbit is a film that reminds us of the power of laughter, by taking two-dimensional characters and making them three-dimensional (both literally and figuratively).

It's an episode with a double dose of Chris! Chris is joined by Chris Rose, lifetime member of the Burlington Players, and host of the Mass Mouse Fans podcast, for a discussion on 1996's The Birdcage, starring Nathan Lane and the late great Robin Williams. The Birdcage is a comedy with heart with strong values about the importance of found family and acceptance, that is still just as relevant twenty-eight years later.

In honor of the twentieth anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePant's first theatrical feature film (and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the whole franchise), Chris welcomes Nick Giglio back for a discussion encompassing all things from SpongeBob, from what's allowed the character to stand the test of time, to why the 2004 feature film is arguably considered "Peak SpongeBob"...

Movies That Matter is back after an unexpected, extended hiatus. This super-sized episode makes up for lost time, as Flynn Reardon returns to discuss a personal family favorite of his, 1993’s The Fugitive, starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones. Also discussed are some favorite films from 2023, 2024 (so far) and what’s on deck for the rest of the year.

Veras Connolly returns to the podcast to discuss Scott Pilgrim VS The World, Edgar Wright's romantic action-comedy from 2010 aka "Life: The Video Game: The Movie" as they and Chris discuss. While it's an amazing spectacle of a picture, it also carries heavy themes of love and loneliness, accountability, and maturing.

As awards season approaches, Liz Gillespie returns to the podcast to discuss one of the biggest films of the year, and the impact Barbie had on both cinema and audiences. Prepare for an episode full of Ken-ergy.

All entertainment is subjective, and what's a more subjective form of entertainment than comedy?? The 2010 film Grown Ups portrays the ideal fantasy of spending a responsibility-free weekend reuniting with all your old friends. Behind the camera, Adam Sandler is living the dream of making a major motion picture with his whole gang of usual collaborators like David Spade, Kevin James, Chris Rock, etc. Grown Ups is an ode to maintaining lifelong friendships.

Anthony Matos, BNEWS Sports Reporter and host of the podcast "Just A Little Bias" hops behind the mic to discuss his favorite comedy with Chris. Since this is the first straight comedy covered on Movies That Matter, expect a lot of laughs!

It's a master class on Audrey Hepburn, one of the most iconic actresses of all time. Sarah Eshelman, English and Journalism Teacher in Burlington MA, returns to give Chris an education on all things Hepburn.

Sarah details her "Audrey Hepburn Summer" of 2023, and she and Chris discuss three of the actress's most notable works: 1953's Roman Holiday, 1967's Two for the Road, and 1966's How to Steal A Million.

Charles Dickens's classic holiday story of Ebenezer Scrooge's redemption is 180 years old, and the number of adaptations across film, television, and media continues to grow each holiday season. Chris welcomes Alan Foulds, local author, historian, Town Moderator of Reading MA, and host of the podcast "It's Also History" for "A Christmas Carol Retrospective". Chris and Alan discuss various versions, their strengths, their weaknesses, and what makes them stand out in the vast library of A Christmas Carol adaptations.

The Goonies taps into the memory of a time when you would go off on an adventure with your neighborhood pals, but here it's not playtime. The adventure is real! Robert Parris, Chris's longtime friend and colleague at Burlington Cable Access Television (BCAT) finally makes his debut on Movies That Matter to discuss the 1985 Richard Donner-directed adventure-film, which he has been recommending to Chris pretty much since they first met!

In the winter of 2021, Liz Gillespie decided her senior capstone project would be a documentary that poised the question "What makes a film a classic?" She interviewed Chris Flaherty for her documentary, and from that documentary the idea for Movies That Matter was born.

In the second part of the 20th episode special, Liz and Chris dive into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) (a podcast first believe it or not) for a look at James Gunn's quirky-space-opera trilogy Guardians of The Galaxy. Covering the original 2014 film, while also diving into Vol.2 and Vol.3, Liz and Chris discuss a simpler time in the MCU, the franchise's themes of grief and found family, and how the original makes an unexpectedly decent double-feature with Finding Nemo!

In the winter of 2021, Liz Gillespie decided her senior capstone project would be a documentary that poised the question "What makes a film a classic?" She interviewed Chris Flaherty for her documentary, and from that documentary the idea for Movies That Matter was born.

Liz has been a frequent quest on the pod, and for this special 20th episode, commemorating the 20th anniversary of Disney and Pixar's Finding Nemo, she swaps seats with Chris and acts as host. (It's been a long time coming as she practically already is Chris's co-host/producer!)

Join Liz and Chris for an in-depth discussion on this Disney/Pixar classic and what it means to both of them, and share their thoughts on the film's themes of parenthood, anxiety, and legacy.

"When I was your age, television was called books." The Princess Bride is a timeless classic that is still beloved by moviegoers everywhere, like Sarah Eshelman, English and Journalism Teacher in Burlington, who joins Chris in this installment of Movies That Matter. Sarah and Chris share their experiences watching The Princess Bride and how the passion of the filmmakers behind the scenes helped make it a timeless classic. They also discuss the important themes of the film like holding onto hope through adversity, the resilience of true love, and the power of storytelling.

Nick Giglio returns to the podcast for an extended discussion on the 2010 animated film How To Train Your Dragon, a personal favorite of his and Chris. Nick and Chris go in-depth on the first chapter of Toothless and Hiccup's journey, and discuss every little detail that makes the film special to them, from the animation techniques applied by the filmmaking team, to the timeless values of the story, including self-worth, questioning tradition, and the friendships that define us...and also how cool it would be to own a dragon.

The month-long, March Madness-esque marathon of Movies That Matter concludes with the return of Liz Gillespie, as she and Chris discuss Kingsman: The Secret Service, the 2015 spy-action-comedy directed by Matthew Vaughn, and starring Taron Edgerton, Colin Firth, and Samuel L. Jackson. A film that shows the importance of mentorship and legacy. It proves appearances can be deceiving, and that Colin Firth is an absolute savage. Manners. Maketh. Man.

"Show me the money!!" Mike Espejo returns to the podcast and introduces Chris to the 1996 romantic comedy sports drama led by Mr. Tom Cruise. Chris and Mike unpack the values Jerry Maguire presents to its viewers, from the value of the individual in the workplace, the importance of human connection and emotions, and positive, healthy masculinity. Also, does Chris know enough about sports... or Tom Cruise films? Listen and find out!

On Movies That Matter, entertainment is subjective and that's not a bad thing. And what's more subjective than Top Films of the Year lists? Flynn Reardon returns for a special Oscar weekend episode, where he and Chris discuss their favorite films from last year. Also, Chris learns how to use Letterbox, and he and Flynn reveal some pretty damning gaps in their watch history...Happy Oscar Weekend!!

The Lion King, Walt Disney Pictures' 32nd Animated Feature Film, was released on June 24, 1994 to near universal critical and commercial acclaim. Many consider it to be one of Walt Disney Animation's greatest animated films, if not the greatest. It's an epic, coming-of-age story that has resonated with audiences for almost thirty years. For Chris, it gets a bit more personal (as it should on Movies That Matter).

Chris takes an episode to himself to speak on The Lion King, and not just his personal connection to the film, but his late father's. Listen and discover the special meaning this film has to both father and son, in a special tribute to Chris's own Lion King, who passed away last year.

Who's your favorite Spider-Man? For Liz Gillespie (and Chris) it's Andrew Garfield in The Amazing Spider-Man (and some of but not all of its sequel). Join Liz and Chris for an extended, end-of-the-year, winter break episode discussing the second Spider-Man film series that is often overlooked but very much deserves its place in the parthenon of Spidey-Films.   

La La Land...the almost Academy Award for Best Picture Winner of 2017. All jokes aside, Damien Chazelle's romantic musical comedy-drama starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling quickly became an instant classic worth celebrating. It's a film about staying true to your passions, and the value of having people in your life that validate those passions. In this special episode, marking the first anniversary of Movies That Matter's start, Chris welcomes back friend and very-first guest to the podcast, Liz Gillespie to talk quite literally all things La La Land and more.

Louisa May Alcott's original novel Little Women has been adapted for the screen many times over the years. The 1949 film adaptation, directed by Mervyn LeRoy starring June Allyson, Peter Lawford, and Elizabeth Taylor, holds the most significance to Joy Hosford, a local education writer and film enthusiast. 

Joy joins Chris for an in-depth discussion on all things Little Women, from her personal connections to the 1949 film, to how Alcott's original novel has continued to stay fresh in the minds of filmmakers, readers, and audiences.

Micheal Carney's 2013 comedy-drama-musical starring Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo might not be well-known to a lot of our viewers, but it's a film that undoubtedly matters. James Hurley, a longtime student volunteer at Burlington Cable Access TV, host of the series James' House of Rock, corresponding podcast James' House of Rock: Backstage, multimedia producer and young filmmaker currently studying at Lesley University joins Chris for this episode.

Jame and Chris discuss how the film conveys an important message of staying true to yourself and your passions, and how it can speak to all artists and creators, trying to get their name and their work out to the public. It gets a bit personal for two long-time creators like James and Chris, but after all entertainment is subjective...

The character of Spider-Man has had many iterations across media, not just in film, but in tv, video games, and comic books. Spider-Man, wether he be Peter Parker or Miles Morales, has made a major impact on audiences, through what he does and what he stands for. This impact reached new heights in 2018 with the animated Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse from Sony Pictures Animation, directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman, and written by Phil Lord and Rothamn.

Veras Connolly, a local content creator, Candidate for a Bachelor’s in Animation with a Minor in Digital Media, and long-time student volunteer at the BCAT Studios joins Chris in this amazing (spectacular!) episode. Veras shares their personal connections with the film and character of Spider-Man, and they and Chris discuss why both have meant so much to audiences for many years.

Mary Poppins is considered by many as Walt Disney's crowning achievement. The heartwarming family film is pure movie magic with its charming cast, wonderful musical numbers, and dozens of groundbreaking visual effects. Many have come to hold this Disney classic in high regard, much like our guest for this installment, Stephanie Azzarello. Stephanie is a fellow Quinnipiac University alum like Chris, an Ambulatory Clinic Supervisor at the Developmental Medicine Center at Boston Children's Hospital, and a lifelong fan of Mary Poppins. Stephanie shares her personal connection to the film, how she's carried its themes and messages throughout her life, and she Chris discuss why Mary Poppins continues to be the gold standard of Disney entertainment.

Bueller? Bueller?? The 1986 John Hughes film, starring Matthew Broderick, has become a cult classic. It's not just a wonderful coming-of-age story with an important message, it's a quintissential feel-good film. Chris is joined by Mike Espejo, fellow Burlington native and host of The Pod Where It Happens, which is also produced at Burlington Cable Access TV (Crossover episode!!). Mike and Chris discuss what has made Ferris Bueller stand the test of time, and Mike shares his personal connections to the film, and how he's carried its themes and messages throughout life. Give a listen and enjoy the first episode of Movies That Matter of 2022.

Liz Gillespie returns to the podcast in this special-length, holiday edition of Movies That Matter. Several Christmas specials, both from film and television, have stood the test of time and become part of our annual holidays traditions. They've become constants for us, and are ingrained into the DNA of the holiday season. Liz and Chris share and discuss many Christmas specials that hold value to them, from well-known classics like It's A Wonderful Life and The Year Without A Santa Claus, to newer favorites like Prep & Landing and Fatman. Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!

Beauty & The Beast, Walt Disney Pictures' 30th Animated Feature Film, was released on November 22nd 1991 to near universal critical and commercial acclaim. It was a massive achievement for both film and animation, and made history as the first animated film to ever be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

In honor of the film's thirtieth anniversary, Chris takes an episode to himself to speak on Beauty & The Beast, his favorite film. Chris shares his personal connections to the film and how he's carried his love of it throughout his life.

Gremlins. The delightfully charming, dark comedy-fantasy film from 1984 and directed by Joe Dante'. Is it a Christmas film? A Halloween film? Either way it's a long-standing tradition for guest Flynn Reardon, a member of the Shawsheen Valley Technical High School Class of 2020 and active student volunteer at Burlington Cable Access TV. Flynn and Chris discuss the highlights and endearing qualities of Gremlins, as well as its rather interesting sequel, Gremlins 2...

Jurassic Park, the 1993 sci-fi/action film from Stephen Spielberg raises the question "What if dinosaurs still roamed the Earth?". A timeless "what-if" scenario that has allowed audiences to connect with the film for twenty-eight years. Chris is joined by Nick Priest, a lifelong Burlington MA resident, member of the BHS Class of 2003 and Burlington Select Board. In this episode, Nick and Chris share personal perspectives on Jurassic Park, and discuss its legacy, many themes and messages, that still resonate to this day.

Back to the Future, the 1985 sci-fi/fantasy/family adventure from Director Robert Zemeckis and starring Micheal J.Fox and Christopher Lloyd, is a very popular film and widely considered a classic. But why is it considered a classic? Why has Back to The Future stood the test of time (Pun intended)? Chris is joined by fellow Quinnipiac University alum and film-buff Nick Giglio to discuss the underrated charm and legacy of Back to The Future, and what has helped it resonate with audiences for over thirty-five years. There's a lot to unpack, from it's simplistic use of time-travel, to its themes of parents and family.

Big Hero 6, the 2014 animated film from Walt Disney Pictures certainly has its following. It was the winner of Best Animated Feature at the 87th Oscars, and was the highest grossing animated film of the year. Its lovable robot character Baymax has become one of Disney's most popular characters in recent years, and it also had the daunting task of being released after a little film called Frozen...

But what many may not realize is the film has a lot to say about grief, loss, responsibility to your community, finding your passion and place in the world. Liz Gillespie presents Big Hero 6 in our premiere episode. Liz is a member of the Burlington High Class of 2021, now pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering at UC Davis, and a longtime student volunteer and Sports Reporter at Burlington Cable Access TV. Liz joins Chris to discuss what Big Hero 6 means to her, the role it's played in her life and its themes she values most.