Are you a fan of close-up shots showing complex math equations being hastily written on old-fashioned blackboards? Do you like your protagonist to wear tweed coats while they explain intricate equations to side characters (only done so the audience can keep up with what's going on)? If you answered yes to either of those questions- we’ve got the right group of movies for you. The good news is, you don’t need to know anything about Additive Number Theory, quantum mechanics, or Integer Partitions to enjoy these movies about math geniuses. What these movies do well is spotlight characters in history that are typically brushed over, despite their great achievements. While math is the basis for these movies, Clare and Alaina take the time to discuss how well these movies handle their other prominent themes, for example, the power of perseverance in a discriminatory environment, and the value that comes with letting oneself be vulnerable. Come listen to us discuss these topics and so many more! This is Making Sense of Movies with Clare and Alaina.

Movies Mentioned

The Man Who Knew Infinity: 1.02-12.36

Imitation game 12.36-23.48

Theory of Everything 23.48-34.46

Hidden Figures 37.46-49.10

Good Will Hunting 49.10-1:03.42

Intro and outro music:

Kevin MacLeod. "Dark Hallway". 2008

If you just can’t wait for the holiday season or are still lamenting the end of Halloween, join us as we talk about movies that combine the two! These are movies sure to induce “claus”trophobia because we’re talking holiday horror movies. Some of the movies discussed have been able to transcend the genre, like Black Christmas, which is known as one of the great slasher films of all time. We also go over lesser-known movies like Thankskilling, about a talking Thanksgiving turkey on a killing spree (saying this is a bad movie would be an understatement). We’re Ho Ho Hoping you’ll join Clare and Alaina as we decide which of these movies are naughty and nice.

Movies Mentioned

Thankskilling .33-11.04

Anna and the Apocalypse 11.04-25.05

The Nightmare Before Christmas 25.05-40.35

Silent Night Deadly Night 40.35-55.08

Black Christmas 55.08-1:09.13

Intro and outro music:

Kevin MacLeod. "Dark Hallway". 2008

Clare and Alaina make sense of 5 musicals. Just like how the pocket knife is a tool of many uses, songs in musicals are multi-purposeful. Some musicals use song to drive the plot, and for characters to express emotions too powerful for talking. Other musicals may use songs in a more serious matter, like to reflect the major themes of the film. And then there's the 10 minute long Broadway Melody scene from Singing in the Rain, which says “f*ck it! Let's go big and blow a fifth of the budget”. We can't be one to judge though, as we spend 1/3rd of this episode is accidentally spent analyzing the complexities of Cabaret. We also spend time discussing the value that great costumes and production design add to the musical experience. Come listen to Clare and Alaina discuss what songs rise to the top, and the songs not catchy enough to make the cut!

Movies Mentioned

Mamma Mia .25-11 :45

Moulin Rouge 11:45-25:36

Cinderella 25:36-35:53

Cabaret 35:53-55:04

Singin in the Rain 55:04-11:1.04

Intro and outro music:

Kevin MacLeod. "Dark Hallway". 2008

Nothing screams nostalgia more than Disney Original Movies (aka, movies released on the Disney Channel, and not shown in theaters). Almost everyone can remember sitting in front of their living room tv screen, watching the iconic Disney commercial of children doing splits in the air, thinking to themselves: whatever movie comes on is gonna be epic. Join our Disney-Original connoisseur Alaina, as she shows Clare these movies for the first time. We’re all in this together as we ask important questions, like “If Jess in The Thirteenth Year grew up in a coastal town, why can’t he swim?” and “Why is the technology in Smart House being used in a residential setting instead of a hospital where it can save people's lives?”. Make sure to stick to the status quo by listening to this episode of Making Sense of Movies with Clare and Alaina!

Movies Mentioned:

Smart House 1:53-13:59

Thirteenth Year 13:59- 25:54

Cadet Kelly 25.54-38.30

Twitches 38:30-49:25

High School Musical 49:25-1:01.5

Intro and outro music:

Kevin MacLeod. "Dark Hallway". 2008

When asked what elements make a great film, common answers may be a strong plot and well developed characters. While these are both necessary elements, characters and story fall apart without a strong world to bind them together. In this latest installation of Making Sense of Movies, Clare and Alaina discuss worldbuilding within five different movies. Some of the movies discussed are science fiction, the essential world building genre. These movies have created worlds with a rich and mysterious history. Other movies that made the list go about their worldbuilding in a more subtle, but equally powerful way. These movies have successfully merged our familiar world with unfamiliar elements. Join Clare and Alaina as we examine worldbuilding in movies!

Movies Mentioned

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night .40 12.39

Us 12.39- 23.59

Pan Labyrinth 23.59-39.07

Snowpiercer 39.07-57.48

Blade Runner 2049 57.48-1:15.97

Intro and outro music:

Kevin MacLeod. "Dark Hallway". 2008

Clare and Alaina make sense of 5 “film bro” movies. If you find yourself talking to a guy who hates Greta Gerwig (for no apparent reason), has movie posters of Fightclub/The Dark Knight/Pulp Fiction, or stops talking about a movie with you because “you probably haven’t heard of it”...... you've encountered a film bro! Some of the movies we discuss will surprise you, while others just scream Cinabro. Bro, these movies are just so dark and gritty. Join us, as we break down why these movies attract such a particular fanbase. For once, we are honestly trying to make sense of these movies.

Movies Mentioned

Scarface 2:02-12:14

Reservoir Dogs 12:14-21:19

Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back 21:19-29:16

The Dark Knight 29:16-41:13

The Social Network 41:13-54:55

Intro and outro music:

Kevin MacLeod. "Dark Hallway". 2008

Clare and Alaina discuss five action movies. After last episode, talking about apocalypse movies, we were in need of a dire pick-me-up. And everyone knows there’s no better pick-me-up than watching Tom Cruise fly helicopters and jump out of airplanes for the sake of cinema. Listen to us break down the action sequences of these movies, and our opinions on what makes for a compelling hero. Alaina drops some serious knowledge on psychology and archaeology, while Clare brings back an essay she wrote freshman year on Mad Max Fury Road (we’re about to graduate, so we gotta flex about the things we’ve learned). Come check in to the Continental Hotel, and Join Making Sense of Movies as we talk about these action flicks

Movies mentioned

Fist of Fury 0:51-13:53

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Art 13:53-24:17

John Wick 24:17-33:41

Mad Max Fury Road 33:41-49:45

Mission Impossible Fallout: 49:45-1:02

Intro and outro music:

Kevin MacLeod. "Dark Hallway". 2008

Meteors, zombies, and chemical warfare? Oh My! Clare and Alaina discuss five apocalypse movies. Some of these movies take a more serious route, like dealing with mental health issues in the midst of the world ending, and dissecting the science behind viruses. Other apocalypse movies take themselves less seriously. For example, in one movie adults take a more “f*ck the rules” approach to the world ending and give toddlers alcohol. Despite the tonal difference between these movies, all use sound editing and cinematography to build a sense of dread, tension, and unease. We rank these movies in order from most realistic to the least realistic. For this reason, many of our conversations involve the logistics of each apocalypse situation- like how fast one can move after being in a coma, and what kind of airborne chemical can kill animals and humans, but not the surrounding vegetation. Bunker down with Making Sense of Movies with Clare and Alaina to hear the answers to these questions, and many more!

Movies Mentioned

Melancholia- .42-12.16

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World- 12:16-20.19

Cloverfield Lane- 20:19-32:46

28 Days Later- 32:46-47:12

I Am Legend- 47:12-58.18

Intro and outro music:

Intro and outro music:

Kevin MacLeod. "Dark Hallway". 2008

Hey cool cats and kittens!, this is a Making Sense of Movies Update! Hope everyone is safe and healthy. Clare and Alaina are no longer recording in Washington DC, so here is our first virtual mini episode, as a way to transition to the new format. Today we talk about the things we’re doing and watching while in quarantine. Come listen to hear about the movies and TV shows we've been watching, and our opinion if “that bit*ch Carol Baskins” really killed her husband in Tiger King!!! We’re staying inside, and you should too! Let's flatten that curve together folks! Sending love from our households to yours, this is making sense of movies, with Clare and Alaina

Clare and Alaina discuss 5 movies where the couples don't end up together. Some of these movies left us cheering that the couple doesn't end up together, while others left us in tears. Some of these movies are definitely hard to get through, given the amount of raw emotion that comes as a side effect to love. In this episode, the couples break up for a broad range of reasons, like historical laws forbidding same-sex relationships, toxic relationships, and giving up love in order to save jazz. Clare and Alaina also get a little feisty about the 2016 Best Picture fiasco. This is our belated Valentine's Day episode, so hit up the stores for discount Valentine's Day candy, and listen to Making Sense of Movies with Clare and Alaina!!

Blue Valentine 0:00:46- 00:12:03

Waitress 00:12:03-00:23:44

Up In The Air 00:23:44- 00:34:57

La La Land 00:34:57- 00:49:07

Portrait of a Lady on Fire 00:49:07- 00:59:20

Intro and outro music:

Kevin MacLeod. "Dark Hallway". 2008