Criticism Is Dead

We discuss The Undoing (2020) and Shithouse (2020), two works about—in a sense—exploring who you are as a person, whether that's a wealthy therapist mentally unraveling or a college freshman missing home.

NOTE: This episode is a bit longer than usual, but very good imho!! Also, we only talk about The Undoing up through episode 3, so feel free to listen without major spoilers.

01:36 The Undoing, an HBO limited series that's currently airing, is the latest in the genre of television exploring the troubled inner and outer workings of rich white women whose seemingly perfect lives are disrupted by tragedy or violence.

15:57 Shithouse, a film made by and starring a majorly talented 23-year-old, is deft, emotionally honest, and painfully relatable in its depiction of college life and feeling like you don't quite fit in.

28:00 Plus, culture notes about a buzzy sneak preview of the Gossip Girl reboot, and the nostalgia-heavy era of remakes, reunions, and remixes.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes—including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit—subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected].

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss The Good Lord Bird (2020), a tragicomic historical fiction miniseries about John Brown, and Blood of Zeus (2020), an adult animation series about another kind of "savior" (read: a hot Greek demigod).

01:45 The Good Lord Bird, a limited series on Showtime set before the Civil War, depicts the messiness of history and the figures who get remembered. (Bonus: It stars Ethan Hawke, who just turned 50, hbd babe!)

12:15 Blood of Zeus, an animated series on Netflix, is basically Greek mythology fanfiction that could've been good, but uhh is not! More importantly: Why aren't there more high-budget Greek mythology epic series à la Game of Thrones?

23:23 Plus, culture notes about the election, including a request to NOT let Ivanka and Jared slink back into society, thank you!!!

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes—including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit—subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected].

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss The Queen's Gambit (2020), a show of high watchability, and His House (2020), a film as scary as it is devastating.

00:30 The Queen's Gambit, a limited series from Netflix, is about trauma, but it is not traumatic. It is full of tropes, but not weighed down by them. It is a reminder that when Netflix gets it right, it's right (yeah whatever we're eating some of our words from last week). Plus, discussion about Jolene, one of the most interesting(?) characters on the show.

13:59 His House, also on Netflix, is the latest film in the current-day genre that roots its horror in real-world pain and atrocities, particularly those experienced by immigrants, Black people, and other survivors of the world's worst cruelties.

23:04 And culture notes about an attempt by the Trump administration to "defeat despair and inspire hope" amid the pandemic by recruiting celebrities for a PSA, resulting in one of the inadvertently funniest assessments of modern celebrity.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes—including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit—subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected].

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss Rebecca (2020) and On the Rocks (2020)—two films, both alike in content (marriage) and watchability (background noise).

00:41 Rebecca, out on Netflix, is the latest, cynical example of how big streaming fare can go wrong.

10:03 On the Rocks, available on Apple TV+, is basically Sofia Coppola for normies. Ouch!

16:37 Plus, culture notes about two famous men and their dumb defenders. In the words of Astead W. Herndon, "don’t take Ls on behalf of someone else currently in the process of L taking." Advice to live by!

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes and bonus links, subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected].

Music: REEKAH

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

Introducing a new weekly podcast about film, television, and culture, and all the opinions involved therein. Does anything even matter? Who cares! Hosted by Pelin Keskin-Liu and Jenny G. Zhang.

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Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co