Filmmaker and author Polly Schattel joins Beth and Michelle to discuss Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, a film she has studied since first seeing it in a theater as a child. Together, they explore the Overlook Hotel’s visual clues, unsettling sound design, supernatural mysteries, and the many interpretations that have kept audiences returning to the film for decades.

The conversation moves beyond ghosts and conspiracy theories to the trauma at the center of the Torrance family. Beth and Michelle share why Jack’s abuse has always frightened them more than anything hiding in Room 237, while Polly offers a different perspective on Wendy’s agency, Kubrick’s treatment of Shelley Duvall, and the film’s larger themes of patriarchal violence, inherited trauma, and survival.

They also put The Shining through the Castellini Test and find that, despite its isolation and limited female cast, it passes. Wendy is not a helpless victim waiting to be rescued. She confronts the danger, protects Danny, and ultimately becomes the reason they escape. By the end, Polly has not turned Beth and Michelle into devoted Kubrick fans, but she has given them a new way to understand a film they had previously kept at a distance.

You can find Polly and her work at PollySchattel.com  also you can follow Polly on BlueSky

The links and photos referenced in the episode:

Rob Ager

Beth and Michelle return to Short Circuit, the 1986 science-fiction comedy they both remembered as a funny, surprisingly emotional childhood favorite. They expected a nostalgic story about a military robot discovering life, identity, and the fear of death. Instead, they found a movie that felt far shallower, stranger, and more uncomfortable than either of them remembered.

They examine the film’s wasted potential, from its barely explored ideas about sentience and mortality to the lack of emotional connection between Number Five, Stephanie, and Newton. The conversation also addresses Fisher Stevens playing an Indian character in brownface, the racial stereotypes built into Ben’s dialogue, and the misogyny that now overwhelms much of the film.

The episode closes with the Castellini Test, which Short Circuit fails almost immediately. More than a discussion of whether the movie still works, this becomes a conversation about losing a piece of nostalgia and realizing that much of the depth they remembered had come from their own childhood imaginations rather than the movie itself.

Michelle shares one of her most cherished films as she and Beth step into the glittering, fiercely competitive world of Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom. What begins as an extravagantly camp story about sequins, rigid rules, and one dancer’s forbidden steps gradually becomes something warmer and more personal: a celebration of courage, cultural identity, and the freedom to become the person you were never supposed to be.

Michelle reflects on watching ballroom competitions with her Nana, the dances she wishes she had allowed her to teach her, and why this film has remained so close to her heart. Together, she and Beth explore the transformation of Scott and Fran, the quiet tragedy of Doug’s abandoned dreams, and the manipulation that keeps generations of dancers too frightened to challenge the system. They also celebrate the music, theatrical camera work, outrageous costumes, and the final performance that proves dancing from the heart matters more than winning someone else’s competition.

The conversation looks beyond the romance to the film’s treatment of immigration and cultural appropriation. Fran’s Spanish family teaches Scott a living, expressive version of the paso doble that the white ballroom establishment has stripped of its history and reshaped around rules and trophies. Beth and Michelle consider how the film both values that cultural tradition and still places Scott’s journey at the center of the story.

The episode closes with the Castellini Test and a broader discussion of feminism, inclusion, and agency. Despite the misogyny built into the competitive dance world, women such as Fran and Shirley remain essential forces in the story, while the film’s rejection of fear, conformity, and white cultural authority gives this deceptively glittery romantic comedy far more depth than its surface suggests.

You can find some of the references Michelle quoted here:

https://www.sbs.com.au/whats-on/article/strictly-ballroom-cheat-sheet/v6rm6q368

Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward star in Tremors, the 1990 creature feature that proves great monster movies are really about great characters. Set in the tiny desert town of Perfection, Nevada, the film follows two handymen whose plans to leave town are interrupted by gigantic underground predators that hunt by sensing vibrations. What begins as a fight for survival quickly reveals itself to be a story about community, trust, and ordinary people discovering they're capable of extraordinary things.

Beth and Michelle celebrate everything that makes Tremors such an enduring favorite, from its remarkably smart screenplay and unforgettable practical effects to the effortless chemistry between Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward. They also explore why every resident of Perfection has a role to play, how the film avoids reducing its characters to stereotypes, and why its blend of humor, suspense, and heart has made it one of the most satisfying monster movies ever made.

The episode closes with the Castellini Test and a conversation about why Tremors succeeds as more than just a creature feature. Its respect for every character, its emphasis on teamwork over division, and its thoughtful portrayal of people from different backgrounds would eventually inspire what became the Tremors Index, one-third of the Stitch Count and the benchmark Beth and Michelle use when asking what truly inclusive storytelling can look like.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of homophobia, societal pressures, and mental health challenges. Listener discretion is advised.

Kevin Kline stars in In & Out, a 1997 comedy that asks what happens when a quiet high school teacher is unexpectedly outed on national television just days before his wedding. While remembered for its humor and heartfelt performances, the film also reflects many of the stereotypes, fears, and social attitudes surrounding LGBTQ+ people in the late 1990s.

Beth and Michelle explore both sides of that legacy. They discuss Kevin Kline's compassionate performance, Joan Cusack's heartbreaking portrayal of Emily, Tom Selleck's quietly groundbreaking supporting role, and the complicated balance between comedy and harmful clichés. Along the way, they examine how the film portrays shame, denial, masculinity, acceptance, and the painful reality of being forced to live according to other people's expectations rather than your own.

The conversation becomes deeply personal as Beth reflects on her own journey as a trans woman, Michelle shares the challenges and growth that came with supporting loved ones through coming out, and together they discuss family, faith, masking, and the importance of compassion. Rather than simply reviewing a movie, this episode becomes a conversation about authenticity, community, and why everyone deserves the freedom to live honestly and be loved for who they are.

As always, they wrap things up with the Castellini Test, adapting it to examine LGBTQ+ representation while continuing the show's broader conversation about equity, inclusion, and meaningful storytelling.

This episode also includes discussion of community support, advocacy, and ways listeners can help create a more welcoming world for LGBTQ+ people.

Resources:

For the first time, Beth and Michelle welcome a guest to the podcast: writer, filmmaker, author, and Castellini Test creator Bri Castellini. Before diving into What's Your Number?, Bri shares the surprising origin of the tongue-in-cheek feminist film test that inspired a recurring part of the show, why it was never meant to replace thoughtful criticism, and how it became a starting point for bigger conversations about representation rather than a final verdict.

Together they unpack a romantic comedy that initially looks like a simple story about counting former partners but turns out to be something much more thoughtful. They explore purity culture, double standards, family expectations, and the impossible standards placed on women, while celebrating Anna Faris' brilliant physical comedy, Chris Evans' unexpected rom-com charm, and the surprisingly heartfelt relationship at the center of the film. Along the way, the conversation wanders through feminism, Doctor Who, comedy, and why the best podcasts sometimes sound like friends forgetting what they were supposed to be talking about.

The episode closes with the Castellini Test itself, but true to Bri's original intent, the discussion never treats the score as the destination. Instead, it becomes the beginning of a richer conversation about feminism, equity, and why no single metric can ever capture everything a movie has to say.

Instagram:

@BrisOwnWorld (personal/author account)

@CastelliniFilmSchool (consulting & filmmaking account)

Beth and Michelle revisit Ivan Reitman's Dave expecting the charming political comedy they remembered and instead find themselves having one of their most passionate conversations yet. What once felt like a lighthearted story about an ordinary man stepping into extraordinary circumstances now raises uncomfortable questions about power, democracy, constitutional norms, and how dramatically the world has changed since 1993.

Alongside Kevin Kline's endlessly lovable performance, they explore why Dave himself remains so easy to root for even as the situation surrounding him becomes increasingly difficult to ignore. The discussion wanders through political ethics, public service, found integrity, and the difference between a good person and a good system, while also celebrating the warmth that Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver bring to the film's unlikely romance.

The episode closes with the Castellini Test, where Beth and Michelle discover that Dave fails not only on representation, but also prompts a bigger conversation about whether any single test can fully capture what makes a film feel equitable. That question would go on to shape the way they approached movie criticism for years to come.

The tournament reaches its thrilling conclusion, but Beth and Michelle discover that A Knight's Tale has been building toward something much bigger than a championship. As William's true identity is revealed, the conversation turns to class, integrity, chosen family, and why the film insists that character, not birth, is the true measure of a knight.

They revisit Jocelyn's controversial tests of William's love, the unforgettable reunion between William and his father, Prince Edward's defining act of grace, and the friendships that quietly become the heart of the story. Along the way, they reflect on communication in relationships, supportive parenting, and why every member of William's found family earns their own victory before the final joust is even won.

The conversation closes by comparing the film with Chaucer's original The Knight's Tale, exploring how the adaptation transforms a medieval romance into a hopeful story about changing your stars, finding your people, and proving that worth is earned through the life you choose to live.

What started as a single episode quickly became one of the longest conversations Beth and Michelle had ever recorded, so they decided to split it into two parts rather than lose everything they loved in the edit. And after revisiting it, it's easy to see why.

In Part 1, they dive into A Knight's Tale as a story about far more than jousting. From Heath Ledger's unforgettable performance to Paul Bettany's scene-stealing Geoffrey Chaucer, they explore the film's joyful anachronisms, unforgettable soundtrack, and why a medieval adventure somehow feels completely modern. Along the way, they celebrate Alan Tudyk, Mark Addy, and a cast that turns friendship into the movie's greatest strength.

As the conversation deepens, the film becomes a springboard for discussing class, identity, chosen family, and what it really means to "change your stars." Beth and Michelle connect William Thatcher's journey to broader conversations about proving who you are, challenging the roles society assigns us, and why stories about hope continue to resonate long after the credits roll.

Before Cozy Quilt Cinema found its home in movies, Beth and Michelle took one memorable detour into music. Each chose three songs that had quietly shaped who they are, discovering that every track opened the door to stories about childhood, family, identity, love, grief, and the moments that changed their lives.

From Beatles records shared by Beth's mother to the songs that carried Michelle through constant moves and helped her make sense of home, they explore how music becomes a time capsule. Along the way they reflect on coming out, finding your own identity, losing people you love, and why certain songs can transport you back to a single moment decades later with just a few notes.

This special episode offers a glimpse into the conversations that eventually shaped Cozy Quilt Cinema. Long before The Stitch Count and emotional movie discussions became the heart of the podcast, Beth and Michelle were already asking the same question they still ask today: How does art become part of who we are?

Be sure to stay to the end as there is a wonderful indie folk rendition of "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" performed by Annie McD, her TikTok link is below. Links provided to the music in the order they are discussed:

"We Can Work it Out" - The Beatles  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IbPn5j2YKk

"No Roots" - Alice Merton  https://youtu.be/PUdyuKaGQd4?si=WEoh2qw9-SUsPCrt

"I Will Follow You Into the Dark" - Death Cab for Cutie  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iV_1ESMHaI

"Mystery Girl" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs  https://youtu.be/dunHh0VcXwY?si=sPthEkcTuETWXYUB

"I Don't Want To Be" - Gavin DeGraw  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gFCW3PHBws

"When I Need You" - Leo Sayer  https://youtu.be/obC0MFHWJ0A?si=an63Ye1-bOnaUyjm

In the Outro - Performing her Indie Folk version of "I Will Follow You Into the Dark", Annie McD. You can find her here - https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTYEVre5j/