CULTURAL CACHET

Today, Amanda and Julia dive into Babylon Berlin. They discuss the Weimar Republic and what brought it to an end, and get deep about just how relevant this era of German politics is to the modern day United States. What makes a country susceptible to fascism? Why leaders who seem to have their heads on straight allow extremists into office thinking they can keep them under control, when history has shown us again and again that this isn't the case? In the face of economic recession and social progress, conservative e groups tend to react strongly by electing radical right wing leaders. It's no coincidence that we got Donald Trump right after electing our first black president, but the question arises: what do we do now?

Today, Amanda and Julia reflect on the work of Jane Campion following the release of her latest film, The Power of the Dog. From In the Cut to Sweetie to The Piano, Campion makes films intended to incite discomfort in her viewers. As one of the most decorated female filmmakers in Hollywood, Campion was the first woman to receive the Palme d'Or and the second woman ever nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director. Her work pushes the envelope with characters that toe the lie between odd and relatable, asking important questions about boundaries, desire, violence, and the human condition.

Today, Amanda and Julia discuss the the Facetuned elephant in the room: social media. In particular, they dive into issues with Instagram. From unrealistic beauty standards, photoshop, and the rise in cosmetic surgery to the real danger Instagram poses for kids they analyze just how bleak things look in the social media landscape. On Instagram, teens are more likely to have more feelings of anxiety and depression, with teen girls hit the hardest. On Facebook and Twitter, misinformation spreads like wildfire. And then the big question: what, if anything, can we do about it?

Today, Amanda and Julia sit down to discuss a very specific film genre: westerns.  After seeing The Harder They Fall (dir. Jeymes Samuel "The Bullitts"), they dive into the origins of the western genre. Revisionist westerns aren't trying to change history, they're challenging the tropes and traditions of the genre itself. And what does western film have to say about industrialization, masculinity, isolation, and the myth of manifest destiny? In other words, why do we like cowboys so much? The frontier is no more, and outlaws don't get to make the rules. American fixation with a lawless land where men with guns take things into their own hands has wildly interesting connotations in hindsight.

Weddings? Not cheap! This week, Amanda and Julia dive into the world of nuptials. They analyze the sometimes odd and surprising cultural origins of many of the west's wedding traditions. (Hint: EVERYTHING used to be about protection from evil spirits!) From medieval times to the first white dress to the televised weddings of the 1980s that made throwing a big, expensive bash commonplace, they talk talk best practices, pricing, and more. Have capitalism and individuality replaced religion, with Pinterest and Instagram taking the reins for superstition and folklore? Does the perfect ceremony guarantee the perfect marriage?

This week, Amanda and Julia went to the movies. Listen as they reflect on what made the movies they saw theatre-worthy, and the return of the cinematic experience.  In a semi-post COVID world, what have we been missing out on the last two years? What will the future of cinema look like?
They saw:

• Dune (2021)
• The French Dispatch
• The Last Duel

...and dubbed each as potentially Oscar-worthy.

Today, Amanda and Julia discuss a niche movie genre that tends to get a lot of attention in this spooky time of year: vampire movies. From the sexy, dignified blood suckers to the sparkly weirdos to the Nosferatus, vampires have set up shop in our cultural mind. We want to be them (immortal, invincible, eternally young, and hopefully really hot) but we're afraid of becoming them (evil, undead, murderous, and forced to subsist on the energy of others). Vampires have been part of mythos and lore all over the world for hundreds of years--even thousands. Through some of the best vampires movies ever made, they try to answer the question: why do these vamps still have such a hold on us? 

Today, Amanda and Julia discuss reproductive rights. Having recently moved to Texas, Julia remarks on feelings of impending doom (like a frog being slowly boiled alive) and together, they dissect how reproductive rights became the political issue it is today. From concerns on the longevity Roe v. Wade in our current Supreme Court to the origins of "pro-life" moral rhetoric in the anti-integration south, big questions come to light. Why do cisgender men have such large say in what happens to pregnant bodies?

Welcome back! Today, Amanda and Julia analyze one of Amanda's favorite parts of the fall season: football. They get into the nitty gritty of the NFL with important questions: if the NFL is such a hotbed of toxic masculinity and covert (sometimes overt) racism, why do we love it so much? Why has the NFL survived despite rampant traumatic brain injuries and a continuous inability to hold its own players accountable for abusive behavior? They discuss the patriotism associated with football, the ongoing CTE scandal, the short attention spans of our modern world, and more.

This week, Amanda and Julia tackle the wild and wacky range of reality dating shows. From the Bachelor to FBoy Island, they discuss the looks and behavior of the contestants and the never ending heteronormativity of TV dating. Why are we so intrigued by watching a gaggle of hot guys and girls be mean to each other? Does cattiness make a show better, or ruin it? We all know not everything on reality TV is real, but it would certainly be easy to make earnest connections when you're isolated and stuck on and island with no phone, friends, or family.  Dipping into a different kind of reality TV relationship, 90-Day Fiancee  seems to cast "normal" people over walking hot messes. Juli and Amanda ask what's so intriguing about watching our immigrations system at work. Is it easier to form parasocial connections with reality stars who feel more real, or those who feel polished and airbrushed?

This is the season one finale. Tune back in in six to eight weeks for season two!