Shadows that Shine (a movie podcast)
We are a movie podcast with a focus on the art of film and the commerce of cinema. Every episode will explore the past, present, and future of the movie industry through conversations.
Episodes
30 episodes
Topic: Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
Topher Mac is up super late talking about one of his favorite movies. The 1997 movie about an assassin forced to go to his 10 year high school reunion.
Topic: The Odyssey (2026)
This week we find out what Topher Mac thought of the (possible) film of year by Christopher Nolan: “The Odyssey”. There will be a spoiler free section before he gets into the full review.
Topic: Christopher Nolan’s Following (1998)
This week a very passionate Topher Mac talks Christopher Nolan as he deep dives the filmmaker’s first film. This episode is packed with opinions and theories and contemplations related to Nolan’s work and the arts in general. This is a ca...
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch…
A super short episode this week due to a combination of factors.. but we still got your coming attractions and box office results as well as a brief taste of what Topher Mac has been watching.
Topic: The Patriot (2000) CoHost: Gio the Comic
This week Gio the Comic joins Topher Mac for an overstuffed episode talking about the 2000 film The Patriot. Seriously, it’s so overstuffed they accidentally maxed out the episode. Part 2 will be available shortly.
Topic: Leviticus (2026) CoHost: Graeme Mitchell Taylor
This week Topher Mac welcomes back to the show Guest CoHost Graeme Mitchell Taylor and they give us immediate feedback on the new horror movie Leviticus. Did they like it? Only way to find out is to listen! The show starts spo...
Topic: Hit and Run Through Current Topics and Stop! That! Train! mini review
This week Topher Mac not only briefly discusses Stop! That! Train! but also continues to touch on current event topics related mostly to Obsession.
Topic: Weird Al and Obsession Backlash
This week Topher Mac is treating things more like a vlog than a review of a particular movie as he wanted to tell you a little about what he’s been up to and briefly discuss Weird Al for reasons you’ll learn about when you listen. He also...
Topic: The YouTube Generation is Finally Taking Hold
Topher Mac spent the week watching movies and is ready to gush and gore about them! Really though, most of this episode is about discussing a possible new hope for the future of cinema: the YouTube generation. In addition to e...
Topic: 2026 Local Shorts Film Festival by Cameo Collective CoHost: Michael The Successtori
May 26th, 2026 the first ever Local Short Film Festival by Cameo Collective was held and friend of the show Michael The Successtori Thomas had 2 short movies shown. We talk about the festival and his movies and discuss a myriad of other t...
Topic: Rogue One A Star Wars Story (2016)
This week Topher Mac briefly discusses the most beloved movie of the Disney Era of Star Wars, Rogue One. He also briefly touches on why Marsha Lucas was important to George Lucas’s best creative works and he also can’t hold back what he r...
Topic: Catch Me If You Can (2002)
3 months into the movie pod, Topher Mac talks box office and discusses ideas and themes within the Stephen Spielberg film Catch Me if You Can (2002).
Topic: Summer Movie Preview!
This week Topher Mac runs through a curated list of movies coming soon to a cinema near you! If He’s mentioning it, it’s probably worth watching (except those 2 or 3 he definitely thumbs downed).
Topic: Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)
Sickness won’t keep Topher Mac down! (But it will make for a shorter episode than usual.). This week Shadows that Shine main host Topher Mac talks about Popstar all so he can highlight how he thinks you should go to the cinema and w...
Topic: Bio-Dome (1996) CoHost: Zak Blackfyre
What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to have Topher Mac be joined by Zak and JP’s Burnt Out High Jynx cohost Zak Blackfyre! That’s right.. we had John Paul on twice so we had to bring on the hilarious hippie to show we have no real...
Topic: Titanic (1997) CoHost: Graeme Mitchell Taylor
Topher Mac is joined by old college friend and creative slasher Graeme Mitchell Taylor as they discuss James Cameron’s masterpiece Titanic (1997) while they try avoid a field of tangent shaped icebergs. Will this episode do like Celine Di...
Topic: Anora CoHost: Catalina Minerva
This week Topher Mac is joined by friend and midnight ballerina Catalina Minerva as they discuss the award winning movie about a stripper who marries a Russian oligarchs offspring. The movie? Anora. The podcast? Can’t miss.&nb...
Special: Jesus Christ Superstar
This Easter weekend Topher Mac talks about his favorite movie musical and gushes over the Norman Jewison masterpiece. This episode doesn’t shy away from subjects that are normally intentionally avoided by the host and pod. Di...
Topic: Penn & Teller Get Killed CoHost: RT from Topher House
It’s April Fools Day and Topher Mac is joined by fellow Topher House member RT, the Southern Fried Sorcerer. The duo gets along great and doesn’t say one mean or challenging thing! …oh wait, April Fools!! They actually bicker ...
Topic: Miscellaneous Movie Talk 1
Topher Mac powers through this episode despite a rough personal week so that he may celebrate a good week for movies! After discussing the box office he touches on a number of other topics briefly including the Spider-Man Brand New Day tr...
Topic: Down Syndrome and Cinema CoHost: Dani Elle
Joining Topher Mac this week is his oldest friend and holder of several relevant degrees (and a mother too!) to this week’s special topic Dani Elle. In addition to exploring down syndrome centric movies they discuss the Oscars and box off...
Special: Friday the 13th Part 2 CoHost: John Paul Edmundson
On the one month anniversary of the pod and the second arrival of a Friday the 13th during the run of the show, JP joins Topher Mac to discuss part 2 of the beloved Jason franchise.
Topic: State of the Cinema Rant and The Bride!
This week Topher Mac rants about the shortcomings of the cinema business and shares some thoughts about how it could improve. He also briefly discusses The Bride! and weighs in on the Warner Bros merger with either Netflix or Paramount.&n...
Topic: Scream 7 CoHost: Patrick O’Hara
Topher Mac is joined by comedian Patrick O’Hara just as they leave the cinema to discuss Scream 7. Please subscribe to our podcast! Every subscription helps us out! Follow us on instagram at
Topic: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Topher Mac talks the animated cash cow Super Mario Bros. Will he openly admit to enjoying an animated movie? Listen to find out! He also briefly touches on next week’s topic Scream 7 with personal expectations and pontificates on wh...