I Can't Believe You Haven't Seen...

Rent is one of, if not the, most famous stage musical from the 90s, and it permeated the culture at large. Matt knows a few of the touchpoints of Rent, but had never seen the stage show, or the 2005 movie adaptation. Jess first saw the movie, and has had a long, storied history with it since. So she picked the movie for episode 25. Matt had...questions. Actually, exclusively questions, if his notes are to be believed.

They cover A LOT of ground in this episode: the draw (and drawback) of the artist living in squalor, cold breath CGI, being the "film bro" in your friend group, "We Didn't Start The Fire", and what makes a stage musical work as a movie. And much more. Seriously, it's our longest episode yet. We're sorry for everything.

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License code: VP5E3U204O5ELA2W

This episode was bound to happen. As one of the greatest media satires in cinema history, it was only inevitable that Matt was going to pick Network to watch with Jess. She did her Master's thesis about reality TV...he knew she was going to have a lot of thoughts. A fifty year old film about network television should not be this relevant, and yet here we are: mad as hell and wondering when we won't take it anymore.

Jess ponders that and a whole lot more. There's the capitalism and commoditization of everything, there's the lack of empathy in the entertainment world, there's concern for Howard Beale's mental health, and there's more info about MTV's The Real World that you (and Matt) didn't know about before. Also, there's Sybil The Soothsayer, which is just kinda fun to say out loud.

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Matt's Letterboxd: Matty236

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License code: VP5E3U204O5ELA2W

Orlando is a film that has grown in stature and gained a greater audience since it was released in 1992. Jess loves it, and has seen it many times dating back to her university days. Matt had not seen it, much to Jess' astonishment as she felt like it would be right up his alley. So she kept it for this episode where he could discover Orlando as a young man. Also as a young woman. Look, it's a long story and there's not really even much of an explanation. Just go with it, everyone else does.

They will get the chance to talk about the role of androgyny in both the film's themes and casting choices, primitive ice skating, a wide variety of parallels and dichotomies the film uses, and how to properly break the fourth wall. Hopefully, by the end of this episode, you won't need to take a seven day long nap. Orlando would sympathize if you did need it, though.

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Matt's Letterboxd: Matty236

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License code: VP5E3U204O5ELA2W

Jess isn't new to Paul Thomas Anderson films. She and Matt did recently watch  the most recent Best Picture winner "One Battle After Another", and she has seen a couple others in the past. How she missed Boogie Nights, one of his most acclaimed films, is anyone's guess. It might have something to do with her being in elementary school when this portrait of the 70's porn industry was released. Her mind wasn't yet in the gutter enough, apparently.

But now she has seen it, and there's a lot she wanted to highlight: the concept of family both real and chosen, the shifting nature of people's identities, an all-time great ensemble cast, and whether or not any of these characters actually learn anything. So put on your imported Italian nylon and get your butter and lollipops ready, because we're shooting this one on film!

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Matt's Letterboxd: Matty236

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License code: VP5E3U204O5ELA2W

Norma Rae is a pretty legendary movie with an iconic award-winning central performance that showed what a successful, crowd pleasing story in the "New Hollywood" era of the late 70s looked like. Somehow, despite LOVING this era, Matt had not ever seen it. Jess was shook. Mostly because Norma Rae Webster is pretty iconic to her. Also because standing on a table defying authority is her idea of a fun time on the weekends.

As Matt and Jess have roots growing up in industry towns, they have a lot to relate to in this story and a lot to discuss: the demographics of those who embrace change, the role of fear in oppression, the real life echoes of Harlan County USA, and what it means to be respected. One question they don't actually get around to answering: why do people in the South always seem to have three names?

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Matt's Letterboxd: Matty236

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License code: VP5E3U204O5ELA2W

After being out for an entire calendar year and saving it for this very special 20th episode, Jess and Matt finally got to see Sinners. This is the second "I Can't Believe WE Haven't Seen" special episode, and they can't contain they're feeling for very long. Simply put: it lives up to the hype. Not only that, but it is deep and rich in so many different ways. Plus, none of the vampire sparkle!

They dive into a lot: how the vampire mythos is utilized, music and sound as memories, returning to a small town, telling a story without telling you everything, and the many different examples of twinning. They would "invite you in" to the conversation, but that phrase sounds way more suspicious after watching this one...

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Email: [email protected]

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Matt's Letterboxd: Matty236

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License code: VP5E3U204O5ELA2W

After having two romantic comedies selected for him by Jess so far, Matt decided to flip one back her way. In typical Matt fashion, he went older...wayyy older, all the way back to 1934 for the legendary It Happened One Night. Turns out that, not only has it held up better than she could have imagined, but Jess might just have a new comfort movie. Mostly because a movie full of sarcastic banter and strong-willed leading women is comforting for her. Cue Matt's shock.

They talk about the trials and tribulations of riding the Greyhound bus, the role of the newspaper as a character and cultural signifier, the Walls of Jericho, and comparing the film's leading lady to Bambi taking her first steps in the world. They also realize that Ellie and Peter's potential future children may have the ultimate athletic prowess and will likely be great piggy-backers.

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Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icantbelieveyouhaventseen?igsh=MXNzajkyeWtudnEwdg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

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Matt's Letterboxd: Matty236

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License code: VP5E3U204O5ELA2W

Look, overnight red eye flights are the worst. Jess and Matt both agree on this. Wes Craven's 2005 film Red Eye, however...not the worst. Jess knows this, and had seen the film several times in her teenage years working at a movie theatre. Matt, however, had never seen it. It was a bit of a trip to watch much younger versions of Rachel McAdams and Cillian Murphy, it was even more of a trip to be reminded that airplane seat phones existed...

In fact, they get into quite a few interesting topics: customer service and the hospitality industry, Wes Craven doing his best Hitchcock impression, and the legend of the airport Chili's (IYKYK). So grab your field hockey sticks and your throat-covering scarves, things are gonna get tense in row 18 of this plane.

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Email: [email protected]

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Matt's Letterboxd: Matty236

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License code: VP5E3U204O5ELA2W

Despite having them around in her life peripherally growing up, Jess has not really seen a lot of westerns. Matt figured that, if they were going to watch a western for the podcast, it should be a fun time. It doesn't hurt that it stars Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and Katherine Ross all in their...*ahem* late 60's prime. Did "throuples" exist in the old west?

Don't worry, that topic will be discussed, along with a variety of ways that the film subverts tropes and starts a few of its own, the way the visuals and sounds tell their story, fast-talking criminals, and why you should never risk your life stopping men from robbing your train. (Poor Woodcock...) Prepare to have 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head' stuck in your brain, Jess may never get it out of hers!

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Email: [email protected]

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Matt's Letterboxd: Matty236

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Music by: https//:www.bensound.com

License code: VP5E3U204O5ELA2W

The 2010 Dreamworks animated film How To Train Your Dragon was one that Matt had never seen (much to the chagrin of his younger brother). There were poorly named Viking children, there were cute dragons that behaved likely puppies, and Scottish accents. Not sure if he was prepared for all of those, but it did give him and Jess plenty to talk about.

In this episode, they dive into tradition versus knowledge, questionable war planning, and how NOT to raise your child. Matt also believes this film is an entire thematic love letter to university researchers. No, he's not kidding.

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Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icantbelieveyouhaventseen?igsh=MXNzajkyeWtudnEwdg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@icantbelieveyoupodcast?_t=ZS-8ybWbMd0BKU&_r=1

Matt's Letterboxd: Matty236

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Music by: https//:www.bensound.com

License code: VP5E3U204O5ELA2W