Shows
Movies That MatterConclave and How We Choose Our LeadersLexy, Garret, and Nicole discuss Conclave and election and how we decide what our future should be. We praise the craft of the movie from the lighting to the cinematography to the costume design. We wrap our head around a movie about an election recording the day after our U.S. presidential election. We talk about how the decisions of the conclave between left and right mirrors the most recent U.S. election. Lexy recommends Agatha All Along. Garret recommends The Davinci Code and being kind to yourself. Nicole recommends The Book of Doors. Website Store...2024-11-1154 min
Movies That MatterIF and Coping Through ImaginationGarret and Nicole discuss IF and how imaginary friends, and imagination in general, can help get us through the dark times. Unlike most critics, we both liked the movie and its exploration of coping through loss, lonelieness, aging, and the other trials life throws our ways. Yes. There's a lot of crying. Garret recommends self care and Dr. Seuss. Nicole recommends Drop Dead Fred and Hadestown. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page 2024-06-1843 min
Movies That MatterI Saw The TV Glow and the Beauty of AllegoryStacy and Nicole discuss I Saw The TV Glow and the beauty of using allegory to tell a trans story. Stacy relates to the suffocation of suburbia where Nicole enjoys a unique story told in a unique way. While enjoying the movie for different reasons, we discuss our alternate views on the ending. We discuss the setting of the late 90s and the understanding of transgenderism in that time period for mainstream suburbia. Nicole recommends Philosphy Tube's I Read The Most Misunderstood Philosopher in the World. Stacy recommends getting out into nature. Website Store YouTube2024-06-0747 min
Movies That MatterChallengers and Bringing Sexy BackLexy and Nicole discuss Challengers and the dearth of fun sexiness in movies and tv. We disagree on the craft and entertaiment value of the film. We talk about how flirtiness and light-hearted sexy times have gone out of style and why people might want it back. Lexy recommends Joy Ride. Nicole recommends The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page 2024-05-1737 min
Movies That MatterThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and the Rules of WarJustin and Nicole discuss The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and how we think about the morality of war. We find the movie entertaining but technically not particularly adept. We talk about the morality of war in general and of the world wars tackling what it means to have rules of war. Justin recommends Shogun and X-Men '97 . Nicole recommends Brooklyn 99 and Who Killed the Video Store. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page 2024-05-0347 min
Movies That MatterCivil War and PhotojournalismAdam and Nicole discuss Civil War and the movie's meditation on war photojournalism. We appreciated all the technical aspects of the movie, editing, cinematography, soundtrack, and sound design. All of the elements worked together to create a nuanced, almost meditative view on the role of photojournalism in war reporting. The movie tackles the inherent contradiction in taking a great photo of something horrific. Adam recommends Middlemarch and Orphan. Nicole recommends Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page 2024-04-1846 min
Movies That MatterFlashback: The Farewell and Staying vs. Leaving for AmericaChristopher and Nicole with special guest, Dan, discuss The Farewell and the issues that come along with generational conflicts that cross international boundaries as well. We disagree about the actual quality of the filmmaking particularly the bizarre score, Dan discusses the dissonance between what was considered funny by Asian vs non-Asian audiences, and the tension between the families who emigrate and the families who stay. It's worth hearing the real story from This American Life. For more on Lulu Wang, check out this article from The Atlantic. Nicole recommends early Ang Lee: The Wedding Banquet and Eat...2024-01-2553 min
Movies That MatterWonka and Pure ImaginationGarret and Nicole gush over Wonka and the movie's whimisical and joyful pure imagination. We love the cast, the costumes, the sets, and the world the movie created. We literally tear up talking about getting enveloped by this movie. We talk about the value of having genuine emotional experiences at the movies without having to tackle all the world's ills. Garret recommends reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory out loud to another person. Nicole recommends While You Were Sleeping. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page2023-12-2843 min
Movies That MatterNapoleon and War MoviesAdam and Nicole discuss Napoleon and what makes for a good war movie. We don't know what this movie was about and found it a failure of a narrative. Beyond that, the acting and casting choices didn't work, the soundtrack made no sense, and only the costumes were worthy of praise. We discuss what makes for a good war movie including having stakes, an understanding of the cause, and perspectives from among the ranks. Also you actually have to have two armies fighting in the movie for it to be a war movie. Adam recommends The Leftovers...2023-12-1442 min
Movies That MatterThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and How to Play the Hunger GamesGarret, Stacy, and Nicole discuss the Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes after also reading the book. As fans of the Hunger Games, we all enjoyed the movie and the look back at how Katniss and Peeta's games came to be. We praise the cast diversity, but disagree on the success of the rewind back to earlier times presented in the movie. We discuss what it means to play the Hunger Games and to win them. We dig into how our backgrounds and personalities guide our chosen strategies. Garret recommends seeing the movie again. Stacy recommends ca...2023-11-3053 min
Movies That MatterRustin and Building a ProtestJustin and Nicole discuss Rustin and the intricacies of putting together social moviements. We highly enjoyed the performances, particularly Colman Domingo who captured the charisma and passion of Bayard Rustin. We talk about the challenges, the infighting, and the varying approaches to building a social movement. Justin recommends Lawmen: Bass Reeves. Nicole recommends Nature's Premium aloe cream. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page 2023-11-1646 min
Movies That MatterKillers of the Flower Moon and Centering American IndiansJustin and Nicole with special guest Rosebud Sioux tribe member Marietta discuss Killers of the Flower Moon and American Indian stories that aren't getting told. We disagree on our enjoyment of a three and a half hour movie but praise the performances. We wish the story focused more on the Osage. We have a wide ranging discussion on American Indian culture and history. We learn about Maria Tallchief, prima ballerina from the Osage tribe. Marietta also recommends checking out the Gathering of Nations in the spring in New Mexico. We discuss the issue of missing and murdered ind...2023-11-0251 min
Movies That MatterDumb Money and the Trap of Individual InvestingLexy and Nicole discuss Dumb Money and the difficulties most of us face running our investments. Lexy liked the movie better than Nicole who could not get past the central messaging of bad financial advice. We find the movie does a good job bringing audiences back into the world of the pandemic and describes the financial techniques and the basics of reddit well but some of the characters fell short. We discuss how the american economy has forced us all to be investors without the necessary training. We also note how this was an example of online life becoming i...2023-09-2844 min
Movies That MatterBarbie and The Patriarchy Part IIPicking up where they left in the discussion of the male backlash again Barbie, Stacy and Nicole talk about how the movie stays away from using the word feminism but that the patriarchy is bad for both genders. We also discuss the consumerism aspect of Barbie. Stacy recommends Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and Nicole recommends season 16 of Business Wars: Hasbro vs Mattel. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page2023-08-2426 min
Movies That MatterOppenheimer and Mutually Assured DestructionJustin and Nicole discuss Oppenheimer and the issues around nuclear proliferation. We disagree on how much we liked the movie. We enjoyed the parts about the bomb and the sound design but disagreed on the later segments featuring Robert Downey Jr. We talk about the benefits and risks of nuclear proliferation, and Japan's special status as the only country to experience a nuclear bomb. Justin recommends Hardcore History: Supernova in the East and Peaky Blinders. Nicole recommends Copenhagen. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page * Note Lise Meitner's name was incorrectly pronounced in...2023-08-0344 min
Movies That MatterJoy Ride and Korean AdopteesLexy, Nicole, and special guest Monique discuss Joy Ride and the unique experience of Korean adoptees growing up in white families. We disagree on the humor based on personal taste and our appreciation of raunchy comedy. We all enjoyed the more serious and heartfelt aspects of film. We delve into a discussion about the experiences of Korean adoptees especially the difficulties of interracial adoption and how that affects identity. Lexy recommends Nimona, Nicole recommends Uncoupled, and Monique recommends Cassandra in Reverse. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page 2023-07-2049 min
Movies That MatterThe Dial of Destiny and a Review of Indiana JonesAdam and Nicole talk Indiana Jones, reviewing Dial of Destiny and the franchise as a whole. We give our definitive rankings on the five films and talk about how Indiana Jones has weathered the changes in movies while staying surprisingly consistent over time. At heart, the franchise is a swashbuckling adventure featuring a likable hero, a rare commodity these days. Adam recommends the Insidious franchise and Nicole recommends Vienna Blood. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page 2023-07-1344 min
Movies That MatterElemental and The Immigrant StoryLexy and Nicole discuss Elemental and the stereotypical immigrant story. Lexy liked the movie better than Nicole despite agreeing the plot and writing were clunky. Performances by the actors elevated the poor material. The story sticks to a very stereotypical immigrant story casting the first generation american child against the prescribed path of her immigrant parents. It does little to tread any new territory beyond the basics. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page Nicole recommends Zootopia. Lexy recommends the Litter Robot.2023-06-2943 min
Movies That MatterAcross the Spider-Verse and the Modern SuperheroJustin, Stacy, and Nicole discuss the Miles Morales Spider-Verse and Spider-Man's introduction in the 1960s as the first modern superhero. We are blown away by the animation first and foremost and the sheer creativity on display. We talk about the origins of Spider-Man as a novel character being a relatable teen and discuss how new Spider "people" fit into a modernized version of a superhero. Justin recommends Everything Everywhere All At Once, Stacy recommends The Blackening, and Nicole recommends Miracle Workers. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page2023-06-1548 min
Movies That MatterThe Little Mermaid in Queer CanonGarret and Nicole discuss The Little Mermaid and the story's place in the queer canon. We both enjoyed the film, while not necessarily agreeing on the need for a remake. We dissect some of the crucial changes that fundamentally alter the message of the movie particularly the changes to Ursula. We discuss the origins of the story that is itself an analogy for queer love and the queer coding in the 1989 original. Garret recommends the original Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid. Nicole recommends Franz Kafka and The Trial. Website Store YouTube Facebook G...2023-06-0252 min
Movies That MatterAre You There God? It's Me Margaret and Enforced ReligionGarret and Nicole discuss Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret the film adaptation of Judy Blume's beloved novel. We praise the movie for its heartfelt emotion, never straying into saccharine messaging or melodrama. We both agree Kathy Bates was miscast. We discuss the horrors of puberty and some of the movie's themes about a religious upbringing. Garret recommends Dear Mr. Henshaw. Nicole recommends a menstrual cup. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page 2023-05-1249 min
Movies That MatterRenfield and the Legacy of DraculaJustin, Adam, and Nicole discuss Renfield and the enduring legacy of Dracula. We enjoyed the movie's fresh take on Dracula, one of fiction's most enduring characters. We found the movie funny and the characters appealing. We talk about why Dracula continues to be a popular figure on film going through some history and canon with a larger discussion about the appeal of vampires. Justin recommends Invicible. Adam recommends Weather Man. Nicole recommends book and movie About a Boy. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page 2023-04-2848 min
Movies That MatterDungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and Role-Playing GamesGarret and Nicole review Duneons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and the importance of role-playing games. We were both delighted by the movie, particularly the ensemble cast and the wonderful world building. We discuss the merits of building commmunity in role-playing games and the benefit of hobbies in general. Garret recommends trying Dungeouns and Dragons or an escape room. Nicole recommends the movie Tetris. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page 2023-04-1042 min
Movies That MatterScream VI and the Scream FranchiseAdam and Nicole talk all things Scream. We give our rankings for the six released movie and discuss the franchise's endurance and it's ability to shift with the times. Adam recommends True Dective Season 2 and The Dry by Jane Harper. Nicole recommends Mythic Quest. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page2023-03-2345 min
Movies That MatterCocaine Bear and the War on DrugsJustin and Nicole discuss Cocaine Bear and America's War on Drugs. We both enjoyed the B movieness of it all, the diversity of the cast, and its 80s authenticity. We segue into a discussion on the harms of the War on Drugs and why America can't seem to reform drug policy based on evidence. Nicole recommends Justified. Justin recommends Ozark. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page 2023-03-1047 min
Movies That MatterM3GAN and the Dangers of A.I. CompanionsLexy and Nicole discuss M3GAN and the costs of relying on A.I. for companionship, particularly on childhood development. We were surprised how much we liked the movie and impressed with the creation of M3GAN technologically. We discussed how relying on screens/technology for our relationship needs it degrades our emotional well-being. Lexy recommends The Devil in Me. Nicole recommends The Two-Family House.2023-01-2345 min
Movies That MatterBabylon and AuteurismAdam and Nicole discuss Babylon and the sacrifices they have to make for MtM listeners. The movie is a joyless, scatalogical slog excepting the scenes of film being made. We discuss who deserves to get this level of creative control in a movie and where future auteurs will be developed. Adam recommends Tar. Nicole recommends The Take's The Dragon Lady Trope. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page2023-01-0946 min
Movies That MatterEmpire of Light and the Magic of FilmStacy and Nicole discuss Empire of Light and how movie theaters help make the world more bearable. We find the movie beautifully crafted and acted, but lacking in subletly. We're unsure how effective the portrayal of mental illness and May/December romance works for the movie. We also discuss how movies create community and joy, but escapism can only go so far. Stacy recommends . Nicole recommends Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page2022-12-2946 min
Movies That MatterShe Said and #metooLexy, Stacy and Nicole discuss She Said and the aftermath of the #metoo movement. We found the movie started slow and a bit stilted but overall the strong performances from the entire cast elevated the movie. We discuss what changes have been made post #metoo. We're skeptical about how men have changed their attitudes and behavior and also cover some real changes that have been made to employment law around salaries and the use of non-disclosure agreements. Stacy unrecommends Mash, Nicole recommends No Nonsense Yoga Waistband tights, and Lexy recommends Guilty Pleasures. Website Store YouTube...2022-12-1255 min
Movies That MatterTriangle of Sadness and Anti-CapitalismGarret and Nicole discuss Triangle of Sadness. We disagree on the value of the movie and about anti-capitalism. We get into a generational debate about what it means to eat the rich. Nicole recommends The Exterminating Angel and Garret recommends The Square, After the Dark, and Anne Frank's poetry. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook Group Page2022-11-1744 min
Movies That MatterTill and Civil Rights ActivismJustin and Nicole discuss Till and the many paths people take to activism. We appreciated the colorful pallette and rich interiors and the decision not to show violence. We cover Mamie's grief journey and how standing up for her son naturally led to standing up for civil rights. Justin recommends Netflix movie The Harder They Fall, and Nicole recommends the podcast Sentimental Garbage. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook Group Page 2022-11-0346 min
Movies That MatterNope and VoyeurismJustin and Nicole discuss Nope and when it's ok to gawk at the spectacle and when we should look away. We appreciate the cinematography and the carefully crafted details Jordan Peele adds to his films. We discuss the line between voyeurism that leads to negative societal impact and the things we need to look at in order to create social change. Justin recommends Lovecraft Country on HBO and Nicole recommends Dopesick on Hulu. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook Group Page2022-08-1146 min
Movies That MatterElvis and Shady Music ManagersAdam and Nicole discuss Elvis and how the music industry is plagued by shady managers and unfair contracts even to this day. We both appreciated Austin Butler’s performance as Elvis but found the early part of the movie technically problematic. We delve into how prevalent shady managers and unfair contracts still are in the music industry. Adam recommends Lapvona by Otessa Moshfegh and Nicole recommends American Scandal's series on payola. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook Group Page 2022-07-2743 min
Movies That MatterGood Luck to You, Leo Grande and Sex WorkStacy and Nicole discuss Good Luck to You, Leo Grande and the complications of sex work. We were both disarmed by Daryl McCormack's performance and appreciated the lighting and art direction. We discuss sex tourism for women and the how sex work fits into caring professions in general. Stacy recommends The Girlfriend Experience and Nicole recommends The Sessions.2022-07-0745 min
Movies That MatterFire Island and Gay HierarchyGarret and Nicole discuss Fire Island, how well the #Pride and Prejudice adaptation worked and how gay hierarchies work in real life. We enjoyed the comedy and soundtrack, but not the romance and found the writing weak in places. We talk throught the racial and money divide in the gay community, and how oppressed groups create their own systems of oppression. Garret recommends Pride and the Disney shorts for Pride. Nicole recommends 4th Man Out. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook Group Page2022-06-2449 min
Movies That MatterMen and Toxic MasculinityLexy and Nicole discuss Men, whether the movie was actually scary, toxic masculinity, and the roles men force on women. We criticize the movie for not really understanding the subject matter and not capturing women's perspectives. Watch Promising Young Woman instead. Lexy recommends An Absolutely Remarkable Thing. Nicole recommends Lessons in Chemistry. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook group page 2022-06-1046 min
Movies That MatterAUDIO ONLY: Impact 10 Movies That Gave Us HopeImpact 10 episode featuring Nicole, Christopher, and Garret discussing movies that gave us hope. Nicole covers Stand and Deliver and the hope that potential is never truly lost. Christopher covers Slumdog Millionaire and the hope that personal struggle will lead to positive outcomes. Garret covers Erin Brockovich and the hope that corporations can be held accountable. The discussion covers how perseverance, community, and defying expectations lead to change. Garret recommends The Shawshank Redemption, Nicole recommends the It Gets Better Project, and Christopher recommends Die Hard. Website Store YouTube Twitter 2021-01-2544 min
Movies That MatterSound of Metal and Being DeafGarret and Nicole discuss Sound of Metal, how the beautiful cinematography balanced strong themes, how well the movie captures addiction, and how much the movie showcases deaf individuals in their normal lives. We get into some information about cochlear implants and the controversy among deaf people. Read how Riz Ahmed describes his experience learning about Deaf culture. Garret recommends learning how to spell your name in ASL. Nicole recommends Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook group page2020-12-1147 min
Movies That MatterImpact 10: Indigenous Cinema I AUDIO ONLYImpact 10 with Stacy, Nicole, Christopher, and Lexy discusses indigenous cinema. Stacy covers westerns and The Searchers, Nicole gives a short retrospective on American Indian cinema and Smoke Signals, Christopher talks Maori culture and Whale Rider, and Lexy discusses Disney and Moana. We are joined by documentary filmmaker Suree Towfighnia in the discussion. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook group page Suree's recommended links Website: http://www.sureetowfighnia.com/ Standing Silent Nation 2007 -- a Lakota family asserts their sovereignty by growing industrial hemp. (screened on PBS POV...2020-11-2757 min
Movies That MatterImpact 10: Queer Cinema I AUDIO ONLYAUDIO ONLY VERSION Watch the video: https://youtu.be/Bl1nqRmFpAw This Impact 10 episode features Stacy, Lexy, Nicole and Garret discussing Queer Cinema. Stacy tackles award winners, Lexy talks activism and politics, Nicole covers AIDS and Garret discusses culture. We wade into how queer cinema and queer stories have changed over time. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook group page2020-06-1844 min
Movies That MatterThe Hunt and the Current PandemicAdam and Nicole discuss The Hunt, how the movie entertains as horror, but fails on satire, the ridiculousness of the whole controversy, some of our favorite satires, and how we think the coronovirus pandemic will affect the current political dynamic. Check out Citizen Ruth and Idiocracy. Read a timeline of the controversy from Vulture. Adam recommends Blue Ruin and Green Room. Nicole recommends The Last Supper.2020-03-2641 min
Movies That MatterThe Invisble Man and the Legacy of Domestic Abuse MoviesJen and Nicole discuss The Invisible Man, how effective the technique was in creating a scary movie, how we appreciate the focus on the emotional trauma rather than the physical trauma of domestic abuse, and how we feel about the revenge fantasy of domestic violence movies. We question why domestic violence hasn't had its #MeToo moment. Shout out to @lulamaybelle for her commentary on male critics. Check out the landmark movie The Burning Bed. Jen recommends the pantheon of abuse movies, The Burning Bed, Enough, Sleeping With The Enemy, and What's Love Got To Do With It...2020-03-1245 min
Movies That MatterThe Photograph and How We Fall in LoveGarrett E and Nicole discuss The Photograph, our differing opinions on the movie, what it takes to sell a romance and breakup, and the difference between what we're told and we're shown in the movie. We strongly disagree on whether the character's lack of good qualities made their romance unwatchable. Check out the article on how the movie was filmed. Nicole recommends Jumping the Broom and the author Dorothy West and her book, The Wedding. Garrett recommends his curated list on films on love: Casablanca Brief Encounter Cold War If Beale Street Could Talk Unfaithful Eternal...2020-02-2741 min
Movies That MatterBirds of Prey and Women in the DCUStacy, Lexy, and Nicole discuss Birds of Prey, how delightful we found the film, and how much better we think the female led movies in the DCU are than in Marvel or the male side of DCU. We enjoy all the aspects that made this a movie by women for women. Check out the review we covered in Slate. Lexy recommends Michelle Khare on YouTube. Nicole recommends She Said, the book about how the Weinstein story got made. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk...2020-02-1351 min
Movies That MatterDolittle and the Human Animal ConnectionGarret S and Nicole discuss Dolittle, how neither of us managed to power through the movie, the utterly bizarre accents of the live and voice actors, and the meaning animals have in our lives as adults and children. We recommend some of our favorite animal stories from childhood like Is Your Mama a Llama? and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Garret recommends His Dark Materials the books and on HBO. Nicole recommends the Song Exploder episode on Closing Time. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk...2020-01-3040 min
Movies That MatterLike A Boss and Selling BeautyStacy and Nicole discuss Like a Boss, how it's possible to make that unfunny a comedy with that cast, how the movie is both formulaic and misunderstands both women and the beauty industry, and how the movie should have tackled real issues in selling beauty to women. We find the movie tone-deaf in understanding the actual beauty industry and mining the depths of women's relationship to make up. Catch up on beauty podcast faves Fat Mascara and The Beauty Brains. Stacy recommends The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish and A Black Lady Sketch Show. Nicole recommends...2020-01-1640 min
Movies That Matter1917 and War in Popular CultureChristopher and Nicole discuss 1917, the incredible craft of the movie, the balance it achieved in presenting the beautiful and the grotesque, the over-saturation of World War II as the "good war" versus other conflicts. We are happy to see such a beautifully crafted movie about World War I. Revisit George Carlin's routine on how we've dehumanized the words for battle trauma. Christopher recommends Paths of Glory and When We Were Soldiers. Nicole recommends Regeneration by Pat Barker. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to...2020-01-0242 min
Movies That MatterQueen & Slim and The Black ExperienceChristopher and Nicole discuss Queen & Slim, hotly debate the character of Queen/Angela, how much we appreciate the cinematography and music, and how well the movie explores the black experience. We debate whether the couple would have ended up dead if they had handled the cop differently. Read why the director and writer don't like the calling the movie a Bonnie and Clyde story. Christopher recommends The Water Dancer. Nicole recommends Joan Rivers' stand up. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on...2019-12-2544 min
Movies That MatterKnives Out and Inherited WealthGarret S and Nicole discuss Knives Out, how much we loved the fun comedy and the social commentary, the camera techniques that fed into the theme of the film, and the complications of inherited wealth. The movie takes equal opportunity pot shots at the wealthy. For more ensemble mystery movie fun, check out the original Murder on the Orient Express. Garret recommends Sleuth, Clue, and The Westing Game. Nicole recommends Inside Bill's Brain: Decoding Bill Gates. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us...2019-12-1946 min
Movies That MatterA Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Parental EstrangementStacy and Nicole discuss A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and how overall it left us both cold, the movie's strange choice in telling the story of Lloyd instead of Mr. Rogers, and how the movie fails in every way to understand the dynamic of children estranged from a parent. We vastly prefer the documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor. We get personal on the topic of estrangement and forgiveness. For further reading, issendai has research on estranged parent forums. Also check out the article that kicked off the movie. Stacy recommends the Twitter account @mrrogersquotes. Nicole...2019-12-0536 min
Movies That MatterHarriet and HeroismJen and Nicole discuss Harriet, how the movie fell flat despite excellent performances by the cast, the serious problem with the black slave catcher character who was a grotesque stereotype, and how badly the supernatural element undercut the true heroism of Harriet Tubman. Ultimately, we're let down by the portrayal of Harriet Tubman's heroism as supernatural in place of a true understanding of the woman herself. Compare the movie with the real history from Slate. Catch up on the controversies surrounding the movie. Jen recommends Drunk History - Harriet Tubman Leads an Army of Bad B...2019-11-0747 min
Movies That MatterJudy and Gay IconsGarret and Nicole discuss Judy, our differing opinions on how much we liked it, how well we think Renee Zellweger captured Judy Garland, how and why Judy Garland became a gay icon, and how camp is attracting more people. Read J. Bryan Lowder's meditation on whether gay culture is leaving camp behind. Nicole's research included this article from the BBC on the evolving role of Judy Garland in the gay community and this one from Pop Matters on what makes a gay icon. Garret recommends Culture Clash: The Making of Gay Sensibility, Enough Rope by Dorothy Parker, Th...2019-10-1041 min
Movies That MatterHustlers and ExploitationLexy and Nicole discuss Hustlers, the problem of not being willing to make the main character a calculating criminal, the portrayal of the dancers as athletes-- not sex objects, and how we think about exploitation in terms of crime and sex work. Read the article from The Cut that inspired the movie. We hearken back to our discussion of Widows and how perception of crime depends on who's perpetrating it. Listen to Lorene Scafaria talk about making the movie. Check out the small study on the comparison of sex work in the UK versus other low-skilled jobs. Also listen...2019-09-2644 min
Movies That MatterBrittany Runs A Marathon and Body PositivityLexy and Nicole discuss Brittany Runs A Marathon, the movie's relatable story of Brittany's struggle, our appreciation for Jillian Bell's non-stereotypical Hollywood body, and the body positivity movement and it's issues with weight loss. Read about some of the flak the movie caught for its weight loss story line in Quartzy and Runners World. Also read Shauntay Snell's story of being heckled during the NYC marathon. Lexy recommends Jazzmyne Robbins on Buzzfeed. Nicole recommends two This American Life episodes: If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say, SAY IT IN ALL CAPS and Tell Me I'm Fat.2019-09-1244 min
Movies That MatterWhere'd You Go Bernadette and Rediscovering CreativityGarret S and Nicole discuss Where'd You Go Bernadette, our wildly divergent opinions on the movie, the comparison to the book, and the theme of re-finding your passion late in life and how it relates to the podcast we make. We discuss the juxtaposition of analog and digital creativity. Garret recommends Death of an Innocent, the original article that inspired Into the Wild, and Dead Poet's Society. Nicole recommends Madame Secretary. And both Garret and Nicole recommend finding your passion. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our s...2019-08-2943 min
Movies That MatterOnce Upon A Time In Hollywood and MisogynyStacy and Nicole discuss Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the more meditative style of the movie, the overbearing sound design, feet-- all the shots of feet, our differing views on Cliff as a killer, and the misogyny surrounding the movie. Ultimately, we rule that this wasn't so much a case of misogyny given his previous work, but still an issue with unconscious bias in how the women in the movie are portrayed. We disagree on whether Cliff killed his wife, what do you think? Read Dana Stevens review from Slate who also finds men doing things less interesting...2019-08-1541 min
Movies That MatterThe Farewell and Staying vs. Leaving for AmericaChristopher and Nicole with special guest, Dan, discuss The Farewell and the issues that come along with generational conflicts that cross international boundaries as well. We disagree about the actual quality of the filmmaking particularly the bizarre score, Dan discusses the dissonance between what was considered funny by Asian vs non-Asian audiences, and the tension between the families who emigrate and the families who stay. It's worth hearing the real story from This American Life. For more on Lulu Wang, check out this article from The Atlantic. Nicole recommends early Ang Lee: The Wedding Banquet and Eat...2019-08-0153 min
Movies That MatterMidsommar and Jerk BoyfriendsGarret S and Nicole discuss Midsommar, the superior craft of the film in terms of cinematography, art direction, and acting, but the overall letdown of the story, the very realistic portrayal of grief, and what does a garden level bad boyfriend really deserve? As a current and a former grad student, we're here to tell you that there was absolutely nothing correct in the movie about being a grad student or writing a thesis. For more backstory on how the movie was made, check out this article from the LA Times. Garret recommends The Girl With The...2019-07-1847 min
Movies That MatterYesterday and The Music IndustryAdam and Nicole discuss Yesterday, how determined we were not to be charmed by it and how utterly we failed, how we felt the film struck the right balance between high concept and fairy tale, and the central message of the movie: is it better to achieve greatness and die young or live a long life of mediocrity. We don't entirely agree with this article that the Beatles aren't timeless or that the music industry ignores great talent. Adam recommends the Deadwood movie and Oblivion. Nicole recommends the Miley Cyrus episode of Black Mirror. Check...2019-07-0544 min
Movies That MatterLate Night and Women in the WorkplaceLexy and Nicole discuss Late Night, the genius of Emma Thompson, the particular care the movie showed to costuming, differing roles of women in the workplace, and being the diversity hire. The movie doesn't pull its punches on diversity hiring in contrast to undeserved success by nepotism. The movie is is a funny comedy with real heart. Lexy recommends YouTuber (and forthcoming female late night host) Lily Singh. Nicole recommends Much Ado About Nothing. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twitter...2019-06-2044 min
Movies That MatterRocketman and RecoveryGarret S and Nicole discuss Rocketman, how happy we were to see an old-fashioned musical, the deft camerawork and choreography, and the journey to recovery. Read about Egerton’s transformation into Elton John. Also, learn more about how the overdose to concert scene was created. Garret recommends Me and The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson. Nicole recommends A Very English Scandal. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twitter, visit our Facebook Page, and please leave a review for us on...2019-06-0742 min
Movies That MatterPoms and Female FriendshipStacy and Nicole discuss Poms, how the performances elevated a poor script, female companionship and the value of intergenerational friendships, and the tired of message of female empowerment through other women. We wonder who the movie was meant for and why any woman needs to be reminded that she needs women in her life. Check out the amazing senior dancers of the NBA, the Wizdom. Stacy recommends the podcast, Thirteen Minutes to the Moon. Nicole recommends the Omega Paw self-cleaning litter box. Be sure to check out StacyErinMoore.com and catch up with Stacy. Check...2019-05-2340 min
Movies That MatterUgly Dolls and Deaf CultureGarret S and Nicole discuss Ugly Dolls, the quirky and fun animation, how Janelle Monae stole the movie, the state of the animated musical, and how the movie’s message about what it means to be considered defective makes a good analogy for how deaf people have created their own flourishing culture. We cover a little bit of the history and richness of Deaf culture, American Sign Language, and Garret’s experiences at Gallaudet University. Read more about audism and the supression of ASL here and also the medical establishment’s continued incompetence in treating deaf children. Check out Nyle D...2019-05-0957 min
Movies That MatterHigh Life and Awkward Sex in SpaceGarret S and Nicole discuss High Life, how wrong the critics were to praise the art of the film and ignore all its plot and thematic flaws, how little we can say about the movie because it made no sense, and the movie’s discomforting portrayal of sex including rape and masturbation. We discuss some trigger warnings but prefer you not see the movie at all. Garret recommends the book Dead Man Walking: The Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty That Sparked a National Debate and Annihilation. Nicole recommends maternity pajamas. Even if you’re not pregnant. 2019-04-2539 min
Movies That MatterCaptive State and ComplacencyAdam and Nicole discuss Captive State, how much they enjoyed the movie contrary to most critics, the pleasures of a plot driven movie, our desire for authoritarian rule, and our unwillingness to confront our own worst tendencies. The movie explores people’s inability to put the greater good over their own emotions because of the tendency to complacency. Adam draws out this subtler thread in the movie’s treatment of climate change. We commend the film for not showing the typical plot line of humans banded against the enemy rather our own selfish desires to protect ourselves. Listen to Radi...2019-03-2843 min
Movies That MatterCaptain Marvel and Disney FeminismLexy and Nicole discuss Captain Marvel, disagree on Brie Larson’s performance, the movie’s place in the Marvel MCU, compare it to 2017’s Wonder Woman, and discuss how Disney tackles feminism. We talk about how ultimately the movie fails to create a fully developed female character and that drags down any message it’s sending. Naturally the trolls came out of the woodwork on this one; read how content managers are struggling to handle the issue. Lexy recommends My Hero Academia. Nicole recommends the Call Your Girlfriend episode The Women’s March (or why the only drama prob...2019-03-1444 min
Movies That MatterIsn't It Romantic and Romantic Comedy MythsChristopher and Nicole discuss Isn’t It Romantic, how the musical numbers were the highlight of the film, what makes a good romantic comedy, and the dangerous myths perpetuated by Hollywood about love. We talk about how the movie often undercuts the very points it’s trying to make and fails to tackle the actual problematic messages in romantic comedies. See if you agree or disagree with the CW’s list of most romantic movies. Check out one of the funnier take downs of unrealistic apartments, men with pillows. Christopher recommends Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Lorena. Nicole recommends watchi...2019-02-2839 min
Movies That MatterWhat Men Want and the Boy's ClubJen and Nicole discuss What Men Want, how they actually enjoyed the movie, the surprising comic genius of Erykah Badu, and the difficulties of trying to survive being a woman in a boy’s club, and how it’s workplace comedy a la Jerry Maguire rather than a rom-com a la What Women Want. They disagree with critics who say the movie had no message and think the movie is being judged too harshly. And if Taraji P. Henson could share her skincare line, Jen would appreciate it. Jen recommends Sex Education and Nicole recommends Russian Doll. 2019-02-1441 min
Movies That MatterSerenity and Getting Domestic Violence WrongGarret S and Nicole discuss Serenity, how thoroughly we disliked the movie, the lack of anything to recommend it as a film (really, nothing), the false portrayal of domestic violence, and whether it’s ok to kill an abuser. Garret recommends Ex Machina and Westworld. Nicole recommends Moon. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twitter, visit our Facebook Page, and please leave a review for us on iTunes.2019-01-3137 min
Movies That MatterEscape Room and PTSDGarret S and Nicole discuss Escape Room, the cinematic failings of the movie in creating tension, the problem of survivor’s guilt, and trauma and post traumatic-stress disorder. We commend the set design and light touch with CGI. We also think about how the movie plays into gender stereotypes of the different ways men and women approach problem solving (and decides women are better). Garret recommends The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, The Survivor’s Club: The Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Life, and adult coloring books. Nicole reco...2019-01-1744 min
Movies That MatterVice and the Bush AdministrationNicole and Garrett discuss Vice, differing opinions on the quality of the movie, the incredible transformation by Christian Bale and the rest of the cast’s ability to capture real figures, and our experiences of the Bush administration. Follow our wide-ranging discussion on politics and how Bush and 9/11 got us to where we are today. Read Garrett’s review of the movie on Cinema Babel and follow up on the controversy over the credits scene. Check out The Hill’s argument in favor of exile as punishment. Nicole recommends the podcast, The Dream. Garrett recommends Buying the War, a...2019-01-0343 min
Movies That MatterBoy Erased and Gay Conversion TherapyNicole and Garret discuss Boy Erased, the need for a trigger warning for the very graphic rape scene, Nicole Kidman in one of her best roles, the toll of taking on heavy emotional content, and how we’d rewrite the ending. We tackle how we deal with parents who won’t accept us and how damaging it is to be disowned. We also discuss gay conversion therapy and how useless and harmful it is. Read Josh and Lolly Weed’s moving post about the dissolution of their marriage as they accepted it was impossible to live life as a gay ma...2018-11-2248 min
Movies That MatterA Star is Born and Defining TalentNicole and Garret discuss A Star is Born, the skill of the direction, the stellar vocal and acting performances, and how talent relates to fame. Check out this article from Vox defining a four quadrant movie. Garret recommends Lady Gaga’s acoustic performances and checking out the career progression of Bradley Cooper. Nicole recommends the biopic loosely based on Carole King called Grace of My Heart. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twitter, visit our Facebook Page, and please leave a re...2018-11-0842 min
Movies That MatterBlack Panther and RepresentationFor our special extended Black Panther episode Nicole and Stacy switch off hosting the discussion with Sarí and Christopher. We discuss the merits of Chadwick Boseman, the power of Disney and representation, the badassery of the women in the movie, tradition and family, growing up black in America, and the historical Black Panthers. Check out the Rita Moreno interview that talks about the importance of properly filming a dance scene (or an action sequence!) and director Ryan Coogler describing how he filmed the action sequence in the Korean club. Read the case for Black Panther being required viewing for wh...2018-10-1156 min
Movies That MatterWhite Boy Rick and the War on DrugsNicole and Garret discuss White Boy Rick, the movie’s failure to tell a good story, and outgrowth of the war on drugs from the 1980s crack epidemic. Read the Atavist article for an overview of the true story of Rick Wershe Jr. Garret recommends Actual Innocence: When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make it Right and The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. Nicole recommends seeing Hamilton. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twitter, visit our Facebook Page, an...2018-09-2742 min
Movies That MatterOperation Finale and AntisemitismNicole and Christopher discuss Operation Finale, antisemitism, and the “banality of evil”. The Columbia Journalism Review covers the public outrage over the New York Times story on a neo-Nazi. Hear Jason Kessler profess that he’s like totally not a Nazi on a terrible NPR interview. Christopher misspoke— Letter to a Christian Nation is by Sam Harris. Read Martin Niemoller’s famous words about the dangers of not speaking out. Christopher recommends Atomic Blonde. Nicole recommends Conspiracy. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twit...2018-09-1339 min
Movies That MatterCrazy Rich Asians and Asian American StereotypesNicole and Garrett discuss Crazy Rich Asians, the movie's charm as a rom-com that still has depth, the dismantling of Asian American stereotypes, and old money vs. the nouvea riche. For more from Garrett, read his review on Cinema Babel. For differing perspectives on watching Singapore on film, read Stephanie Foo's Vox article along with Kirsten Han's article in The Entertainer. Garrett recommends Searching and Nicole recommends singer/songwriter Rachael Yamagata. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twitter, visit our Facebook...2018-08-3042 min
Movies That MatterChristopher Robin and Too Much WorkNicole and Garret discuss Christopher Robin, disagree on the charm of the movie, and talk about the realities of work. Check out Vox for the overuse of lens flare. Fact check-- most people only work about three hours a day. Also in this episode, Garret describes how the 100 Acre Wood characters are used to illustrate various mood and personality disorders in psychology. Garret recommends Off Balance: Getting Beyond the Work-Life Balance Myth to Personal and Professional Satisfaction by Matthew Kelly and Life of Pi by Yann Martel. Nicole recommends Being Erica now streaming on Amazon Prime. 2018-08-1646 min
Movies That MatterEighth Grade and How to Write Young WomenNicole and Christopher discuss Eighth Grade, how overrated it is, and the failure to write a complex young woman. Nicole prefers Welcome to the Dollhouse which has a more believable central character. Nicole also can't believe anyone would describe Kayla as smart or intuitive. Mentioned in this episode, Lindsay Ellis's take down of our culture's disdain for teenage girls. Christopher recommends Won't You Be My Neighbor. Nicole recommends The Gift of Fear. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twitter, visit our...2018-08-0243 min
Movies That MatterSorry to Bother You and Labor RightsNicole and Garrett discuss Sorry to Bother You, how absolutely bonkers the movie is, labor rights, code switching, and the future of capitalism. Have a look at how Harvard perpetuates the model minority stereotype in its admissions process. Also, Nicole underestimated the amount of NBA players who go broke-- it's actually 60% bankrupt after 5 years. Garrett recommends You Were Never Really Here, read his review at Cinemababel.com. Nicole recommends Norma Rae. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twitter, visit our Facebook...2018-07-1951 min
Movies That MatterIncredibles 2 and Mainstreaming the CultureNicole and Garret S discuss Incredibles 2, the cyclical nature of cultural movements, the need for society to keep us in prescribed roles, and the mainstreaming of alternative cultures. Nicole recommends The Power and Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twitter, visit our Facebook Page, and please leave a review for us on iTunes.2018-07-0542 min
Movies That MatterOcean's 8 and Women in Crime on FilmNicole and Adam discuss Ocean's 8, women in crime on film, and the dispute over men watching female-led movies. Check out a favorite clip from the 2001 Ocean's Eleven of Matt Damon accidentally dropping a racial slur on Bernie Mac. Adam recommends The Rover and The Limey. Nicole recommends Out of Sight. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twitter, visit our Facebook Page, and please leave a review for us on iTunes.2018-06-2132 min
Movies That MatterCoco and Immigration in AmericaStacy and Nicole discuss Coco, death, and immigration's effect on American culture. Check out interviews with Benjamin Bratt and Alanna Ubach on making the film. Nicole recommends Mozart in the Jungle. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter, visit our Facebook Page, talk to us on Twitter, and please leave a review for us on iTunes.2018-06-0745 min
Movies That MatterLe Redoutable/Godard Mon Amour and The Genius ManStacy and Nicole discuss Le Redoutable (playing as Godard Mon Amor in the United States), the failure of the movie to capture a woman's perspective, and the argument that female oppression is a valid price for artistic genius. Stacy is not the only one to note that the central figure is more reminiscent of Woody Allen than Jean-Luc Godard who has just about as much self-awareness as the director. Also read this recent article in The Atlantic for other abuses forgiven in the name of genius. Stacy recommends Tao Te Ching and Nicole recommends buying a copy...2018-05-2441 min
Movies That MatterTully and Domestic WorkNicole and Jen discuss Tully, feminism and domestic work, meeting our younger selves, and the controversy around the movie. Check out the perfectly timed Dear Sugar podcast dealing with the invisible labor women do. Also read criticism of the movie by Postpartum Support International and a counter argument on the value of fiction from Vox. Nicole recommends Cyndi Lauper's album, She's So Unusual and Jen recommends the movie version of Parenthood. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twitter, visit our Facebook...2018-05-1044 min
Movies That MatterA Quiet Place and the Noise of Social MediaStacy and Nicole discuss A Quiet Place, the non-stop suspense of the movie, the rise of dystopian/post-apocalyptic movies, and the metaphor of protecting our kids from social media and the terrors of gun violence. The New Yorker wrongly thinks it's about fear of PC culture. Nicole recommends Jeremiah. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twitter, visit our Facebook Page, and please leave a review for us on iTunes.2018-04-2643 min
Movies That MatterBlockers and Affirmative ConsentStacy, Nicole and Garrett discuss Blockers, proms in movies and in our lives, affirmative consent, and the policing of young women's bodies. Check out how uncomfortable talking about sex makes teenagers on This American Life. Garrett recommends A Quiet Place and Nicole recommends Molly Ringwald's article reflecting on problematic art in the age of #MeToo. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twitter, visit our Facebook Page, and please leave a review for us on iTunes.2018-04-1243 min
Movies That MatterA Wrinkle in Time and Underestimating ChildrenStacy and Nicole discuss A Wrinkle in Time, compare the movie to the book, and criticize the movie for its facile handling of complex issues such as bullying. While some critics found a child-like wonder to the movie, actual kids have not been going to see it. Stacy recommends revisiting Northern Exposure and Nicole recommends reading A Wrinkle in Time and watching the Netflix show, A Series of Unfortunate Events. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twitter, visit our F...2018-03-2938 min
Movies That MatterAnnihilation and the Fate of the Mid-Budget MovieNicole and Garrett discuss Annihilation, the appeal of sci-fi worlds, the fate of the mid-budget movie, and whether cinematic universe movies are in a bubble. Read about the rise of women-led sc-fi films and how music curation had to be reinvented for streaming music services. Garret recommends Blame and Becks. Nicole recommends Altered Carbon. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us on Twitter, visit our Facebook Page, and please leave a review for us on iTunes. And see Garret's website, CinemaBabel.com2018-03-1542 min
Movies That MatterHostiles and War AtrocitiesStacy and Nicole discuss Hostiles, war atrocities, and the portrayal of First Nations in Westerns. Have a listen to the movie's gorgeous soundtrack. And take a trip down nostalgia lane for Rory Cochrane in his most memorable role. For more about First Nations actors on film, read Why I Won’t Wear War Paint and Feathers in a Movie Again from Time Magazine. Stacy recommends 3:10 to Yuma and Nicole recommends her homework for this episode, Reel Injun. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter and visit our store, talk to us...2018-02-1544 min
Movies That MatterThe Post and Fake NewsStacy and Nicole discuss The Post, the morality of leaking information, and the role of the press in today's fake news climate. Check out Personal History, Katherine Graham's memoir for more information on her. Also read the real story behind the meeting of Daniel Ellsberg and Edward Snowden. And in case you missed it, Trump is making sure the news stays fake. Stacy recommends listening to The Greatest Showman Soundtrack to lighten the mood, while reading James Comey's twitter feed. Nicole recommends the great Errol Morris documentary, The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the...2018-02-0140 min
Movies That MatterMolly's Game and Naming NamesStacy, Nicole, and Adam discuss Molly's Game, the idealism of Aaron Sorkin, and when the moral thing is to name names. For the real story on Molly Bloom, check out this article from Time. Also, revisit Michael Douglas' inspiring speech from The American President. And if you haven't had enough of male celebrities behaving badly, we present The Pussy Posse. Adam recommends the Dark Tower book series, Blade Runner 2049 (our episode here), and Miss Sloane (our episode here). Stacy recommends Netflix original series GLOWand Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Nicole recommends The Mirage, by Matt Ruff. Check out...2018-01-1843 min
Movies That MatterThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Male LonelinessStacy, Nicole, and Garrett discuss Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, redemption for morally questionable characters, and male loneliness. Check out the Boston Globe article on declining male friendships with discussion by The Good Men Project. Stacy recommends Godless and John Boyega watching the Star Wars trailer. Garrett recommends The Lost City of Z and Life. Nicole recommends The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter, visit our Facebook Page, talk to us on Twitter, and please leave a review for us on iTunes. 2017-12-1449 min
Movies That MatterMurder on the Orient Express and VengeanceStacy, Nicole, and Jen discuss Murder on the Orient Express, the role of justice, truth, and vengeance in society, and whether we're ready for a kinder, less jerky genius detective. We revisit some of the themes from our Logan episode and for a hilarious satire of Poirot and other famous detectives, check out Murder by Death. Jen recommends The Florida Project, Nicole recommends the soundtrack from Henry V, and Stacy gives credit to Karina Longworth. Check out our website where you can sign up for our newsletter, visit our Facebook Page, talk to us on...2017-11-1645 min
Movies That MatterLogan Lucky and Southern CultureStacy and Nicole discuss Logan Lucky, country culture, and Southern culture's issue with white supremacy. Stacy recommends checking out your local agricultural fair and Nicole recommends watching Daniel Craig on The Catherine Tate Show.2017-09-2137 min
Movies That MatterIngrid Goes West and Social MediaStacy and Nicole discuss Ingrid Goes West, the effect of social media on celebrity culture, and its personal effects. Check out this Slate article on the movie's reception by actual Instagram influencers and follow the story about Marina Joyce here. Stacy wrote a book! She recommends you read it: http://stacyerinmoore.com/banshee and Nicole recommends the Black Mirror episode Nosedive.2017-09-0742 min
Movies That MatterDetroit and RiotsStacy, Nicole, and Garrett discuss Detroit, violence and tension in movies, riots and the roots of violence, and the appropriateness of white directors telling people of color's stories. We mention the controversy surrounding Adam Sandler's Ridiculous Six, where to see the beautiful Migration Series paintings used in the opening titles, fact vs. fiction in Detroit, and an article explaining why people riot. Garrett recommends Hounds of Love, Stacy recommends not shooting people in the back, and Nicole recommends Uncle Tom's Cabin. Check out movie reviews by Garrett at https://letterboxd.com/mrgchristopher/.2017-08-2446 min
Movies That MatterGifted and the Class Divide in EducationStacy and Nicole discuss Gifted, family court, class divides in education, and the value of socialization. The Erma Bombeck column Nicole mentioned is reprinted in this blog post. And here's an article about the UK study Stacy talked about showing a 43% decline in suicides from Tylenol overdoses after changing to blister packs. Recommendations this week: Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Cat Stevens' Teaser and the Firecat.2017-04-2743 min
Movies That MatterThe Founder and McDonald's LegacyNicole and Stacy discuss The Founder and the legacy of McDonald's in shaping American spending and eating habits. Mentioned in this episode: the article on Michelle Obama's stealth battle against the food industry and the article on American's changing on eating habits. Stacy recommends Dear White People and Nicole recommends A Series of Unfortunate Events.2017-02-1643 min
Movies That MatterHidden Figures and Women in Male-Dominated WorkplacesNicole, Sari, and Stacy talk Hidden Figures, the difficulties of surviving at NASA as a black female "computer" and avoiding classic cliches about American individualism. This week Sari recommends Fences, Stacy recommends Hell or High Water, and Nicole recommends One Day at a Time.2017-02-0251 min