51. Levi Fifita-Lamb - My Movie DNA

In episode 52, Johnny talks to one of his oldest friends, Yorkshire-based musician Dominic Beresford.Dom spent the ‘90s and 2000s playing the live music circuit of the North West of England during the Britpop years, but has pivoted his musical career into a massively successful wedding duo, Rock My Reception, providing live music at weddings and receptions alongside his longtime bandmate and collaborator Kieran Stokes. Rock My Reception won Best Newcomer at the UK’s Wedding Industry Awards in 2014, and they continue to soundtrack weddings throughout the UK and Europe into 2027 and beyond. Always one to keep busy, Dom also performs solo acoustic sets in pubs and clubs around North Yorkshire, teaches an over-'60s ukulele group, and performs in care homes and aged-care facilities - an area of society that often gets overlooked in terms of live music and entertainment. Dom also manages his own YouTube channel, Get Strumming, which provides ukulele and guitar tutorials, alongside other content such as music-based tours of landmarks in and around the UK. Basically, if music is involved, so is Dom. Johnny and Dom's chat includes a discussion around the life-affirming films of Frank Capra, Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis; they discuss Danny Boyle and his groundbreaking work from the 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony to the 28 Days Later films; they talk about Michael Apted’s 7-Up series, which returns for it’s tenth and final instalment, 70-Up; and, just like two old friends meeting in the pub for a pint, they wonder just where the last thirty years went.This conversation was recorded online in mid-September of 2026. Thanks to James Van As who wrote and performed the brilliant podcast music (check out James' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Loco Looper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ game) and to Willow Van As who designed the amazing artwork and provided general podcast support.You can contact My Movie DNA on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @mymovieDNA or email [email protected] out Johnny's new podcast series, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠500 Films: A Journey Through Genre Cinema⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, available wherever you get your podcasts. This conversation was recorded face to face in early July of 2026. Thanks to James Van As who wrote and performed the brilliant podcast music (check out James' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Loco Looper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ game) and to Willow Van As who designed the amazing artwork and provided general podcast support.You can contact My Movie DNA on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @mymovieDNA or email [email protected] out Johnny's new podcast series, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠500 Films: A Journey Through Genre Cinema⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, available wherever you get your podcasts. 

In episode 51, Johnny talks to Auckland-based film student and future filmmaker Levi Fifita-Lamb.Levi has just kicked off a brilliant web video series where he rates and reviews Auckland’s cinema landscape. You can find the first instalment here. Johnny and Levi's chat includes a discussion around pivoting from Pixar and the MCU into Taika Waititi and PTA, they talk about Gal Gadot’s stellar acting career, and they get into such safe subjects as O.J. Simpson, Michael Jackson, and Woody Allen.This conversation was recorded face to face in early July of 2026. Thanks to James Van As who wrote and performed the brilliant podcast music (check out James' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Loco Looper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ game) and to Willow Van As who designed the amazing artwork and provided general podcast support.You can contact My Movie DNA on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @mymovieDNA or email [email protected] out Johnny's new podcast series, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠500 Films: A Journey Through Genre Cinema⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, available wherever you get your podcasts. 

In episode 50, Johnny talks to Lee Hardman and Dave Lawton from the Something Wicked podcast.Lee and Dave are two friends from Manchester who started podcasting after Dave left the city and moved to North Wales. Something Wicked is one of Johnny's favourite podcasts and, as mentioned at length during this episode, it served as the inspiration for the creation of My Movie DNA.Their show has been described as ‘For purveyors of the dark, weird, fascinating and brilliant…a podcast that is both reverent and irreverent. Something wicked this way comes!’This chat includes a discussion about the giants of American cinema: Sidney Lumet, Steven Spielberg and William Friedkin, they talk at length about one of the films often discussed on Something Wicked, William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist III, and they, incredulously, go for a dog walk in the Welsh countryside with Sharleen Spiteri from ‘90s Scottish rock band Texas.This conversation was recorded online in mid-March of 2026. Thanks to James Van As who wrote and performed the brilliant podcast music (check out James' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Loco Looper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ game) and to Willow Van As who designed the amazing artwork and provided general podcast support.You can contact My Movie DNA on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @mymovieDNA or email [email protected] out Johnny's new podcast series, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠500 Films: A Journey Through Genre Cinema⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, available wherever you get your podcasts. 

In episode 49, Johnny talks to author, comedian and filmmaker Jason Klamm.Jason is the author of the new book Ferris Bueller…You’re My Hero, the definitive behind-the-scenes account of John Hughes’ 1986 film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The book explores how John Hughes’ creative hot streak produced one of the most beloved comedies ever made, and is lovingly pulled together from 125 exclusive interviews with the film’s cast and crew, including Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck and members of the Hughes family.You can find Ferris Bueller…You’re My Hero at all good bookstores, or online through 1984 Publishing. Johnny and Jason's chat includes a discussion about the longevity of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and what makes the film resonate to this day, they talk about one wild time-loop theory that will change the way you look at the film, and they struggle to cast a 2026 remake of the film, because who needs to see Tom Holland or Timothée Chalamet in anything ever again?This conversation was recorded online in early July of 2026. Thanks to James Van As who wrote and performed the brilliant podcast music (check out James' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Loco Looper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ game) and to Willow Van As who designed the amazing artwork and provided general podcast support.You can contact My Movie DNA on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @mymovieDNA or email [email protected] out Johnny's new podcast series, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠500 Films: A Journey Through Genre Cinema⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, available wherever you get your podcasts. 

In episode 48, Johnny talks to Auckland-based singer-songwriter Erny Belle, AKA Aimee Renata. Aimee is signed to New Zealand’s infamous Flying Nun record label, and is looking ahead to the release of her third studio album later this year.Johnny and Aimee's chat includes a discussion about the dark comedy and gothic horror films that inspire her music, they look at the films of Tim Burton, David Lynch and Peter Jackson, and they reminisce about seeing The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Child’s Play as a horror-obsessed ten-year-oldThis conversation was recorded face to face in early April of 2026. Please be warned that there is a light spoiler for the new Zendaya / Robert Pattinson film The Drama quite early on in this episode, so if you haven’t seen that film please go away and do so…and you should see it - it’s the best film of 2026 so far.Thanks to James Van As who wrote and performed the brilliant podcast music (check out James' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Loco Looper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ game) and to Willow Van As who designed the amazing artwork and provided general podcast support.You can contact My Movie DNA on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @mymovieDNA or email [email protected] out Johnny's new podcast series, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠500 Films: A Journey Through Genre Cinema⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, available wherever you get your podcasts. 

In episode 47, Johnny talks to animator, writer and art director Matt Haworth. Matt is one of the key players at Auckland’s Mukpuddy Animation Studios, which you may be familiar with through their animated shows Bad Jelly, Night Eyes and The Barefoot Bandits. Johnny and Matt's chat includes a discussion around the history and future of animated films, they take a deep dive into the works of John Carpenter, Guillermo del Toro, and the Wachowskis, they trade tales of horrific moviegoing experiences - some far more threatening than others - and they try and understand what went horrifically wrong with Edgar Wright’s The Running Man. This conversation was recorded face to face in late-February of 2026.Thanks to James Van As who wrote and performed the brilliant podcast music (check out James' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Loco Looper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ game) and to Willow Van As who designed the amazing artwork and provided general podcast support.You can contact My Movie DNA on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @mymovieDNA or email [email protected] out Johnny's new podcast series, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠500 Films: A Journey Through Genre Cinema⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, available wherever you get your podcasts. 

In episode 46, Johnny talks to musician and podcaster Oscar Davies-Kay. You may know Oscar from his many Auckland-based indie bands, such as Rackets and Water, or from his weekly podcast Fear, Guilt & Agriculture where he interviews movers and shakers from Auckland’s vibrant cultural scene. Johnny and Oscar's chat includes a spoiler-filled look at Marty Supreme and the films of the Safdie Brothers, they take a deep dive into the Venn diagram of disc golf, indie rock and craft beer, and they take a look at Sarah Connor’s sex face and wonder what she really thinks the future smells like.This conversation was recorded face to face in mid-February of 2026.You can listen to Peter Serafinowicz's brilliant A Full Day In The Life here: https://m.soundcloud.com/bren-murphy/a-full-day-in-the-life-by-peter-serafinowicz (it might require you to download the Soundcloud app, but it's worth it).Thanks to James Van As who wrote and performed the brilliant podcast music (check out James' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Loco Looper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ game) and to Willow Van As who designed the amazing artwork and provided general podcast support.You can contact My Movie DNA on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @mymovieDNA or email [email protected] out Johnny's new podcast series, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠500 Films: A Journey Through Genre Cinema⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, available wherever you get your podcasts. 

In episode 45, Johnny talks to Auckland-based Radio New Zealand journalist Nik Dirga. Nik moved to New Zealand from the USA in 2006. He has more than 30 years of journalism experience, for publications in California, New York, Mississippi and Oregon and has won multiple awards for his reporting and essays. On this side of the world, his work has been published by Radio New Zealand, the New Zealand Listener, the New Zealand Herald, the Australian Associated Press, the Spinoff and much, much more.Their chat includes a look at a slew of this year’s Oscar-nominated films, they discuss the work of David Cronenberg, Billy Wilder and Charlie Chaplin, they take a deep dive into the messy, uneven films of Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor, and Nik shares his experiences two years ago watching the actual filming of one of 2025’s movie masterpieces……This conversation was recorded face to face in late-January of 2026.Thanks to James Van As who wrote and performed the brilliant podcast music (check out James' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Loco Looper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ game) and to Willow Van As who designed the amazing artwork and provided general podcast support.You can contact My Movie DNA on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @mymovieDNA or email [email protected] out Johnny's new podcast series, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠500 Films: A Journey Through Genre Cinema⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, available wherever you get your podcasts. 

In episode 44, Johnny talks to Auckland film and book lover Kelly Gordon. As well as working at Auckland’s Academy Cinemas - alongside previous guests Cameo England (episode #4), Gorjan Markovski (episode #21), and Stefan Moon (episode #43) - Kelly’s currently a key member of the team at Unity Books, New Zealand’s leading independent book store. Their chat includes lots of insider tips from Auckland’s book and rep cinema landscape, they discuss Jim Jarmusch, Alan Clarke, Danny Boyle and the majesty of Wim Wenders’ 1984 film Paris, Texas, and they talk about running into one of the stars of Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers, when all they want to do is get out onto a New Zealand road trip…This conversation was recorded face to face in mid-October of 2025.Thanks to James Van As who wrote and performed the brilliant podcast music (check out James' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Loco Looper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ game) and to Willow Van As who designed the amazing artwork and provided general podcast support.You can contact My Movie DNA on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @mymovieDNA or email [email protected] out Johnny's new podcast series, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠500 Films: A Journey Through Genre Cinema⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, available wherever you get your podcasts. 

In episode 43, Johnny talks to Stefan Moon, the General Manager and Programmer at Auckland’s Academy Cinemas.Their chat covers a long, lengthy (and mostly spoiler-free) discussion on Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, which they put into context with PTA’s other films, they tiptoe around the Woody Allen situation and whether it’ll ever be a good time to sing the praises of the 1998 animated film Antz, and after 43 episodes, Johnny finally gets to reveal his connection to George Clooney’s Ocean’s 11.This conversation was recorded face to face in early October of 2025.Thanks to James Van As who wrote and performed the brilliant podcast music (check out James' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Loco Looper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ game) and to Willow Van As who designed the amazing artwork and provided general podcast support.You can contact My Movie DNA on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @mymovieDNA or email [email protected] out Johnny's new podcast series, ⁠⁠⁠⁠500 Films: A Journey Through Genre Cinema⁠⁠⁠⁠, available wherever you get your podcasts.