Favorite Films: Tim and Eric Turn Vancouver Psych Squad Meltt Into a Puddle of Laughter
Last we checked in with Meltt – Vancouver’s greatest psych-rock band this side of Black Mountain – we tried to channel their excitement over playing Boise’s Treefort Music Fest shortly before they graced the annual event three years ago. Fast-forward to 2026, and the duders were once again in good spirits, still giddy over the release of their fourth full-length, Pathways (Nettwerk), last month.
As much as we recommend you snag Meltt’s new release, when they graciously granted The Bad Penny the chance to catch up with them for a second time, we all agreed to mix it up and rope the band into our consistent-ish ongoing Saturday series, the self-explanatory Favorite Films. Each band member generously participated in the exercise – and, wouldn’t ya know it, The Bad Penny would’ve raved about many of the same flicks were the tables turned.
But, of course, this story is not us. It’s about Meltt, Pathways and movie recommendations that might inspire you to take a hop, a skip and a jump during your weekend. Scratch that: These selections might prompt you to pick up a chainsaw, commune with an octopus underwater or reminisce about Star Lanes (RIP) instead.
James Porter (guitar, keys, bass, vocals)
Harakiri: Amazing samurai movie that dismantles concepts of honour and code. The visual language of the black and white billowing wind in grass and bamboo lives rent free in my head. My dad was also a huge fan of samurai movies, and seeing this after he passed was sort of like watching it together.
The Northman: I find Robert Eggers’ attention and approach to historical detail to be so incredibly deeply immersive. It’s like he’s telling you the story from the perspective of the time period it’s set in without too much handholding. Though I’d have loved to see a version of this in the old Norse language he wanted to make it in, it is one of the most visually compelling and immersive movies I’ve ever seen.
Jamie Turner (drums, percussion)
My Octopus Teacher: One of the most moving documentaries I have seen. What stood out most to me was the intelligence and curiosity of the octopus, which — much like the rest of the animal kingdom — is a creature we still know so little about. Along with its incredible footage, the film carries a deep emotional weight. I found it to be a beautiful illustration and reminder of the relationship between humans and nature, and how interconnected we truly are.
Pulp Fiction: A Tarantino masterpiece. I was recommended this movie for years, and I remember being blown away when I finally sat down and watched it. The writing and dialogue are both top-notch. There is a unique juxtaposition between the over-the-top violence that Tarantino is known for and well-executed humor. The unconventional nonlinear narrative and the performances of the cast, combined with the absurdity of the plot, make this one especially memorable.
Chris Smith (lead vocals, guitar, bass, keys)
Sharkwater: A documentary by Canadian biologist and filmmaker Rob Stewart. The film dives deep on sharks, their human misconceptions, their importance to our ecosystem/planet and the threat humans are unfortunately causing. Beautiful movie, and very eye-opening. I have a love for scuba diving, so when I first saw this movie in high school, it was super-inspiring to see someone make a meaningful film while also doing what they love to do!
Napoleon Dynamite: I was a huge Napoleon Dynamite fan when I was a kid, and I think it’s worth a shout-out here. Something about the combo of dry humour, absurdity, quirkiness, the cast and coming-of-age charm is just so fun and funny. I really appreciate the lo-fi ’90s aesthetic in the cinematography and production design, the use of colour, and the overall indie feel of this movie. Very nostalgic one — and so many laughs in it still!
Ian Winkler (bass, keys, guitar)
Mandy: A psychedelic cosmic revenge-horror movie featuring Nicolas Cage at his most unhinged … what’s not to love? My best friend and I used to stay up all night watching old cult classics, and this movie feels like it was purposefully designed for that kind of viewing experience. I never thought watching a chainsaw fight could feel so nostalgic and comforting.
The Big Lebowski: What more could be said about such a classic like this? I’m a huge fan of everything the Coen Brothers have done, but this will always be my favorite. Similar to James, my dad and I would watch this one together before he passed, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. It also introduced me to the music of [soundtrack contributor] Townes Van Zandt, which I am eternally grateful for.
The Band
Collectively, a huge favorite of ours is Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie. Tim and Eric have strongly shaped our sense of humour together in the band — something about the mix of absurdity and darkness is just the funniest thing. This is easily our most-watched movie as a group. It’s just so densely packed with absurdist, ridiculous and over-the-top jokes. We watch it at least once a year together on tour, usually when our brains are already fried from our travels. Dobis!
For more on Meltt and their recently released new album, Pathways (Nettwerk), visit the band’s website and Bandcamp page.
Photo credit: Zachary Vague
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Mett tour dates:
8.14 – Calgary, AB at Commonwealth Bar & Stage
8.15 – Edmonton, AB at The Starlite Room
8.17 – Winnipeg, MB at Sidestage
8.18 – Fargo, ND at The Aquarium
8.19 – St. Paul, MN at Turf Club
8.20 – Chicago, IL at Lincoln Hall
8.21 – Ferndale, MI at The Loving Touch
8.22 – Toronto, ON at The Mod Club
8.24 – Ottawa, ON at The 27 Club
8.25 – Montreal, QC at La Sala Rossa
8.27 – Cambridge, MA at The Sinclair
8.28 – New York, NY at Bowery Ballroom
8.29 – Philadelphia, PA at The Foundry at the Fillmore Philadelphia
8.30 – Washington, D.C. at The Atlantis
9.1 – Durham, NC at Motorco Music Hall
9.2 – Asheville, NC at The Grey Eagle
9.3 – Nashville, TN at The Blue Room
9.4 – Atlanta, GA at Purgatory at the Masquerade
9.5 – Orlando, FL at The Social
9.7 – Houston, TX at Meow Wolf Houston’s Radio Tave
9.8 – Austin, TX at Antone’s
9.9 – Denton, TX at Rubber Gloves
9.10 – Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico at House of Vans
9.12 – Denver, CO at The Bluebird Theater
9.13 – Santa Fe, NM at Meow Wolf
9.14 – Phoenix, AZ at Crescent Ballroom
9.16 – San Diego, CA at Quartyard
9.17 – Los Angeles, CA at Lodge Room
9.18 – Ojai, CA at Ojai Deer Lodge
9.19 – Felton, CA at Felton Music Hall
9.20 – San Francisco, CA at Great American Music Hall
9.22 – Portland, OR at Polaris Hall
9.23 – Seattle, WA at Neumos
10.2 – Vancouver, BC at Commodore Ballroom
11.21 – Victoria, BC at Capital Ballroom
For more Favorite Films editions, check out these:
• Martin Atkins (Ministry, Pigface) ‘Bedazzles’ Us by Picking a Comedy With Dudley Moore, Peter Cook
• Dez Dare Digs Nicolas Cage, Mia Goth, ‘Moon,’ ‘Midsommar,’ ‘Ex Machina’ (and Puppets)
• The New Loud Pick Their Favorite David Lynch Films
• Dummy Give Thumbs-Up to ‘Psycho Goreman,’ ‘Megan,’ ‘Creep,’ ‘Nosferatu’
• Jacob the Horse Singer Digs Russ Meyer, Nolan, Tarsem Singh, William Friedkin
• Dying Remains’ Frontman Treasures ‘The Thing,’ ‘Suspiria,’ ‘City of the Living Dead,’ ‘Wounded Fawn’
• Heavy Heavy Low Low Vocalist Lists His Favorite Flicks as Halloween Creeps Closer
• Avant-Garde Trio Kilter Get Off on ‘Stalker,’ ‘Annihilation,’ ‘Street Trash’
• Napalm Death’s Shane Embury Picks ‘2001,’ ‘Inception,’ ‘Forbidden Planet’
• Point Break 2 Frontman Cops to His Guilty-Pleasure Movies: ‘Mortal Kombat,’ ‘Terror,’ ‘Elvis,’ More
• Oathbound Swear ‘Alien,’ ‘Big Lebowski,’ ‘Interstellar,’ ‘Cabin in the Woods’ Are the Bomb
• Did You Catch These Easter Eggs in ‘One Battle After Another’?
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