Crashes, Cons & Cardboard

In this episode of Dice Camera Action, Mat Cousineau and Steven discuss their shared passion for board games and movies, focusing on horror films and game design. They explore the evolution of horror cinema, the significance of recent films, and share insights on various board games, including Steven's recent designs. The conversation explores various horror films, discussing their themes, storytelling techniques, and personal impressions. The hosts share their experiences with different movies, highlighting what makes each unique and engaging. The conversation delves into various horror films, focusing on themes of grief, storytelling, and the unique approaches of directors like Ari Aster. It also explores the nuances of character development and thematic elements in films like 'Obsession' and 'Hereditary', while discussing the mechanics and appeal of board games related to these themes. The conversation explores various board games, focusing on their mechanics and themes, particularly in trick-taking games. The discussion transitions into the concept of a 'Shelf of Shame' in both gaming and movies, reflecting on personal preferences and the pressures of curating experiences. The conversation explores various themes related to movies and board games, highlighting personal preferences and experiences. The hosts discuss their favorite films, the significance of certain genres, and their gaming collections, emphasizing the joy of discovering new games and films.TakeawaysHorror genre renaissanceGame design insights Diverse horror film themesImpact of storytelling techniques Exploration of grief in horrorUnique storytelling techniques Exploration of trick-taking gamesShelf of Shame concept in media Passion for film and gamingImportance of personal preferencesChapters00:00 Introduction and Technical SetupBoard Game Bliss Ad04:40 Welcoming Steven and Game Design09:35 Shout Outs and Recent Plays11:03 Exploring Horror Movies16:51 Diving into DTF St. Louis24:24 Game Review: Dark Pact32:09 Connecting Through Card Games32:57 Exploring Teenage Sex and Death34:51 The Meta Narrative of Horror38:16 Diving into Horror Movie Recommendations41:00 Reflecting on Iconic Horror Films44:41 The Unique Experience of A Quiet Place45:55 Jordan Peele's Unique Horror Vision48:03 The Concept of It Follows51:51 The Thrill of Talk to Me58:02 The Unsettling Nature of Midsommar01:03:38 The Grief Narrative in Horror01:06:54 Diverse Perspectives in Modern Horror01:11:02 Character Complexity in 'Obsession'01:19:37 Religious Themes in 'Heretic'01:26:21 Board Games and Thematic Storytelling01:38:56 Diving into Trick-Taking Games01:45:35 The Shelf of Shame: Games and Movies01:56:52 Curating Experiences in Film and Games02:11:16 Exploring Cinematic Masterpieces02:15:48 The Alien Franchise Dilemma02:16:05 Tracking Game Collections02:22:21 Exciting Upcoming Board Games02:27:11 Anticipated Movies of the Year02:32:15 Wrapping Up with Time Zones

This week on Dice Camera Action, Tom from Tabletop Misfits and Isaac Hirschfeld play mad scientist. They review My Father’s Work, a three-generation worker-placement game from Renegade Game Studios, then stick around to talk about Mel Brooks’ classic spoof Young Frankenstein.

*recorded pre-gencon (FYI)On this episode, Mat is joined by Tom from Tabletop Misfits for a delightfully chaotic pairing. First up is Altera, IV Studio's gorgeous new fantasy strategy game filled with tracks, exciting dice bag building, and stunning table presence. Then it's off to ancient Peru to revisit Disney's comedy masterpiece The Emperor's New Groove—a movie that, despite having an infamously troubled production, somehow manages to be Disney's most underrated masterpiece. The conversation bounces between clever game design, Disney animation's history and an unhealthy number of Kronk impressions. Pull the lever... it's podcast time.

Mat is joined by Chris Preston and special guest Darren Reckner of Durdle Games. Darren has worked on Unmatched Adventures, the upcoming Super Collider, and is part of the team at Rowdy Partners, making him the perfect guest for a deep dive into trick-taking games.Together, the trio explores both Jekyll vs. Hyde and Jekyll & Hyde vs. Scotland Yard, using them as a jumping-off point for a broader discussion about what makes trick-taking games so compelling. Then they shift gears to review the breakout indie horror film Obsession, unpacking its unsettling themes, memorable moments, and why it's been generating so much buzz.

Strap in. Kevin McAlexander from Blue Peg, Pink Peg joins Mat for an episode fueled by gasoline, chaos, and bad decisions. After covering a wide variety of games and movies, they take a deep dive into Thunder Road: Vendetta before settling the important question: which Mad Max film reigns supreme? Along the way you'll meet unforgettable characters like Dusty Darlene, Master Blaster, and The People Eater. Witness us!

Mat is joined by Josh Bowman — game designer of Beach Day, publisher at Cake Pie Games, and host of the Tabletop Submarine podcast — for an episode full of ancient ruins, layered cards, and poorly considered archaeological decisions. Together they explore Allplay’s clever ladder-climbing shedding game Ruins before revisiting 1999’s The MummyEvil books, layers, gimmicks and maybe the best looking cast of a movie ever?

Mat is joined by Shawn Hoult from the YouTube channel Allies or Enemies for a sci-fi-heavy episode packed with time travel, impossible decisions, and one very lovable space engineer. We dive into the mind-bending worker-placement masterpiece Anachrony and pair it with Project Hail Mary, the story of one man desperately trying to science the apocalypse away with a little help from an unexpected friend.Along the way, we play a ridiculous game where we give board games and movies completely unnecessary subtitles, because apparently that’s what happens when you spend too much time thinking about timelines and astrophage.An episode full of time travel, questionable humour, and one very important fist bump. Good, good, good.

Mat is joined by Isaac Hirschfeld for an episode that gets off to a… less-than-smooth start. Some early technical difficulties quickly turn into comedy gold, setting the tone for a conversation that only gets more delirious from there.Despite running on low energy (and maybe a little too much caffeine), we dive into The Old King’s Crown and Kingdom of Heaven, exploring themes of power, leadership, and what it really takes to claim—and keep—a crown.It’s thoughtful, a little chaotic, and occasionally unhinged in the best way. Come for the medieval strategy and epic battles, stay for two very tired hosts just trying to do their best.

It’s a solo episode as Mat recaps a truly chaotic few weeks—featuring a massive snowstorm, a car wreck that took him off the road, and somehow… two board game conventions.Through it all, there were still games to be played and (more importantly) games to be bought. Mat runs down the highlights from both cons, including what hit the table, what stood out, and what made its way into the collection.

Mat is joined by Jeff Madigan (The Mad Board Gamer) for an episode all about the magic of two-player games—tight decisions, head-to-head tension, and just the right amount of friendly rivalry. We break down some of our favorite 2-player experiences and what makes them shine.Then things get completely unhinged as we dive into Face/Off, the gloriously over-the-top action classic where identities are swapped, doves are in slow motion and subtlety is nowhere to be found.It’s a tale of two players, two faces, and way too much face touching—because sometimes the best matchups are strictly 1v1… even if you come out the other side as someone else.https://linktr.ee/dicecameraactionpod