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In this episode of Midday Movies, hosts Laura and Stephen discuss the top 12 best Netflix original series according to Entertainment Weekly. The podcast covers a diverse range of shows, from cultural phenomena like 'Stranger Things' and 'Bridgerton' to critical hits such as 'The Haunting of Hill House' and 'When They See Us.' They provide insights, fun facts, and personal commentary on each series, aiming to help listeners decide their next Netflix binge.
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview
01:07 Starting the Countdown: Number 12 to 11
04:51 Diving into 'Wednesday'
06:57 Exploring 'Bridgerton'
10:05 The Phenomenon of 'Stranger Things'
11:49 The Impact of 'Squid Game'
12:47 Mr. Beast Reality Show and Legal Issues13:19 Squid Game and Its Impact
13:38 When They See Us: A Deep Dive
14:50 I Think You Should Leave: Comedy Gold
15:54 Adolescence: A Tense Miniseries
18:25 Baby Reindeer: A Dark Tale
19:53 Beef: A Unique Comedy
21:18 The Haunting of Hill House: A Masterpiece
26:18 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Farewell
And look forward to our Alien-themed RPG “Facehuggers and Friends,” featuring members of the Umbrella Podcast Collective (https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/umbrella) as players. Releasing in June, in advance of FX’s “Alien: Earth” series (2025).
Follow the Umbrella Podcast Collective on IG at @umbrellapodcastcollective for updates on “Facehuggers and Friends: An Alien RPG.”
We want to know what you think about our podcast! Let us know in this brief survey here.
Listen to us on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming shows and announcements! Instagram Facebook Linktree
Check out our new merch shop here for tees, totes, stickers and more!
In this episode of 'Midday Movies,' hosts Laura and Stephen review and discuss Entertainment Weekly's list of the 25 best Netflix original series. They start with number 25, 'The Upshaws,' and go through to number 13, 'Midnight Mass,' providing descriptions and personal insights on each show. The hosts aim to help listeners narrow down their Netflix choices among the vast array of original content available. The list includes a mix of comedy, drama, and thriller series, featuring creators like Wanda Sykes and Mike Flanagan.
00:00 Introduction to Midday Movies Podcast
00:07 Entertainment Weekly's Top 25 Netflix Originals
02:49 Discussing the List: The Upshaw's and Kingdom
04:35 Arcane: League of Legends and Hilda
07:03 Chef's Table and Never Have I Ever
08:07 Dead to Me and Lupin
09:44 Mindhunter and The Crown
12:15 American Vandal and Russian Doll
14:25 Midnight Mass and Mike Flanagan's Brilliance
16:45 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser
And look forward to our Alien-themed RPG “Facehuggers and Friends,” featuring members of the Umbrella Podcast Collective (https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/umbrella) as players. Releasing in June, in advance of FX’s “Alien: Earth” series (2025).
Follow the Umbrella Podcast Collective on IG at @umbrellapodcastcollective for updates on “Facehuggers and Friends: An Alien RPG.”
We want to know what you think about our podcast! Let us know in this brief survey here.
Listen to us on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming shows and announcements! Instagram Facebook Linktree
Check out our new merch shop here for tees, totes, stickers and more!
💕 WELCOME TO THE SUMMER OF LOVE — REVIEWING THE BEST ROMANCES OF THE 21ST CENTURY💕
In this episode of “Midday Movies,” Laura and Stephen discuss the Oscar-nominated film “Past Lives,” written and directed by Celine Song. This episode delves into the intricacies of a love story spanning 24 years, focusing on themes of fate (“in-yeon”) , destiny, cultural identity, and the realism of human relationships. Inspired by Song's semi-autobiographical elements, the film examines the connection between Nora (Greta Lee), a twice-immigrated Korean national, and her childhood sweetheart, Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) who remained in South Korea. The hosts analyze the narrative structure, character development, and provide personal reflections on fate and love, producing an in-depth review of this instant classic. Join them as they explore why “Past Lives” is celebrated as one of the best films of the 21st century (according to the New York Times).
00:00 Introduction to Midday Movies Podcast
00:07 Overview of 'Past Lives'
00:50 Discussion on Fate and Destiny
02:23 Celine Song's Autobiographical Influence
03:50 Plot Breakdown: Act One
04:32 Plot Breakdown: Act Two
05:43 Plot Breakdown: Act Three
11:54 Themes of Culture and Identity
24:47 Cinematography and Symbolism
30:53 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
31:23 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes
And look forward to our Alien-themed RPG “Facehuggers and Friends,” featuring members of the Umbrella Podcast Collective (https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/umbrella) as players. Releasing in June, in advance of FX’s “Alien: Earth” series (2025).
Follow the Umbrella Podcast Collective on IG at @umbrellapodcastcollective for updates on “Facehuggers and Friends: An Alien RPG.”
We want to know what you think about our podcast! Let us know in this brief survey here.
Listen to us on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming shows and announcements! Instagram Facebook Linktree
Check out our new merch shop here for tees, totes, stickers and more!
💕 WELCOME TO THE SUMMER OF LOVE — REVIEWING THE BEST ROMANCES OF THE 21ST CENTURY💕
In this episode of 'Midday Movies,' Laura and Stephen take a lunch break to discuss Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical masterpiece “Almost Famous” (2000). They delve into the film's journey of a teenage rock journalist following an up-and-coming band, band politics, and unrequited love. They share researched behind-the-scenes insights, including Crowe's own experiences and the relationships he fostered with rock legends. The hosts highlight the movie's nostalgic love for the 70s music scene and explore the rich character dynamics and personal stories that make the film a cult classic. Available on Paramount Plus, “Almost Famous” offers a deeply personal and heartfelt experience captured by Crowe's unique lens.
00:00 Introduction to Midday Movies Podcast
00:07 Overview of Almost Famous
00:47 Personal Reflections and Summer Vibes
01:46 Cameron Crowe's Early Career and Inspirations
02:56 Plot Summary and Key Characters
08:40 The Love Triangle and Band Dynamics
17:42 The Road Movie Experience
19:54 Character Actors and Iconic Scenes
27:27 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
28:19 Themes of Reality and Unreality
32:06 Closing Remarks and Sign-Off
And look forward to our Alien-themed RPG “Facehuggers and Friends,” featuring members of the Umbrella Podcast Collective (https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/umbrella) as players. Releasing in June, in advance of FX’s “Alien: Earth” series (2025).
Follow the Umbrella Podcast Collective on IG at @umbrellapodcastcollective for updates on “Facehuggers and Friends: An Alien RPG.”
We want to know what you think about our podcast! Let us know in this brief survey here.
Listen to us on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming shows and announcements! Instagram Facebook Linktree
Check out our new merch shop here for tees, totes, stickers and more!
💕 WELCOME TO THE SUMMER OF LOVE — REVIEWING THE BEST ROMANCES OF THE 21ST CENTURY💕
In this episode of Midday Movies, Laura and Stephen are discussing the 2017 instant romance classic, “Call Me By Your Name.” Starring Timothee Chalamet in his breakout role and with a script adapted by James Ivory (and for which he won the Oscar), this film follows a 6-week summer romance in Italy between 17 year old Elio and a 24 year old doctoral student staying with Elio’s family. Sensual and scored with longing by Sufjan Stevens, this film reveals a timeless emotional message through the medium of doomed age-gap love in an Italy on the precipice of a new era. Let’s get into it!
And look forward to our Alien-themed RPG “Facehuggers and Friends,” featuring members of the Umbrella Podcast Collective (https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/umbrella) as players. Releasing in June, in advance of FX’s “Alien: Earth” series (2025).
Follow the Umbrella Podcast Collective on IG at @umbrellapodcastcollective for updates on “Facehuggers and Friends: An Alien RPG.”
We want to know what you think about our podcast! Let us know in this brief survey here.
Listen to us on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming shows and announcements! Instagram Facebook Linktree
Check out our new merch shop here for tees, totes, stickers and more!
💕 WELCOME TO THE SUMMER OF LOVE — REVIEWING THE BEST ROMANCES OF THE 21ST CENTURY💕
In this episode of Midday Movies, Laura and Stephen discuss the 2004 Charlie Kaufman masterpiece, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” Starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet (in an Oscar-nominated role) as lovers so toxic that both have decided to surgically remove the memory of their relationship, this film was voted the 7th best movie of the 21st century by the New York Times. Visually evocative and brilliantly structured, the cliché of love overcoming all obstacles is freshly articulated through a stellar main and supporting cast (Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, et al.), nonlinear story progression, and an unforgettable soundtrack. Let’s get into it!
And look forward to our Alien-themed RPG “Facehuggers and Friends,” featuring members of the Umbrella Podcast Collective (https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/umbrella) as players. Releasing in June, in advance of FX’s “Alien: Earth” series (2025).
Follow the Umbrella Podcast Collective on IG at @umbrellapodcastcollective for updates on “Facehuggers and Friends: An Alien RPG.”
We want to know what you think about our podcast! Let us know in this brief survey here.
Listen to us on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming shows and announcements! Instagram Facebook Linktree
Check out our new merch shop here for tees, totes, stickers and more!
In this episode of Midday Movies, Laura and Stephen delve into the incisive themes of Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite," a film that masterfully explores the complexities of social mobility and meritocracy. As they dissect the symbolic elements and narrative structure, they reflect on how the film mirrors societal hierarchies and the elusive nature of the American Dream (or, South Korean Dream). Join them as they unravel the layers of this cinematic masterpiece, discussing its impact on both personal and cultural levels. #SocialMobility #Meritocracy #ParasiteFilm
And look forward to our Alien-themed RPG “Facehuggers and Friends,” featuring members of the Umbrella Podcast Collective (https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/umbrella) as players. Releasing in June, in advance of FX’s “Alien: Earth” series (2025).
Follow the Umbrella Podcast Collective on IG at @umbrellapodcastcollective for updates on “Facehuggers and Friends: An Alien RPG.”
We want to know what you think about our podcast! Let us know in this brief survey here.
Listen to us on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming shows and announcements! Instagram Facebook Linktree
Check out our new merch shop here for tees, totes, stickers and more!
In this episode of 'Midday Movies,' hosts Laura and Stephen count down the top 50 movies of the 21st century, continuing from their previous podcast episode that covered numbers 100 to 51. The list, compiled by the New York Times, reflects votes from 500 industry luminaries. Highlights include Pixar’s 'Up' at number 50, Alfonso Cuarón’s 'Roma' at 46, Quentin Tarantino's 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' at 44, and Christopher Nolan’s 'The Dark Knight' at 28. The top 10 features modern classics like 'The Social Network,' 'Spirited Away,' 'Get Out,' and the number one spot goes to Bong Joon-ho’s 'Parasite.' Join the conversation as the duo delve into each film, discussing their significance and the directors who made a mark with their influential works.
00:00 Introduction and Greetings
00:28 Top 50 Hottest Movies of the 21st Century: Part 2
01:07 Movie #50: Up
01:57 Movie #49: Before Sunset
02:33 Movie #48: The Lives of Others
02:53 Movie #47: Almost Famous
03:26 Movie #46: Roma
03:53 Movie #45: Moneyball
04:10 Movie #44: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
05:00 Movie #43: Old Boy
05:24 Movie #42: The Master
05:37 Movie #41: Amelie
06:00 Movie #40: Yi Yi
06:27 Movie #39: Lady Bird
06:47 Movie #38: Portrait of a Lady on Fire
06:55 Movie #37: Call Me by Your Name
07:33 Movie #36: A Serious Man
07:42 Movie #35: A Prophet
08:25 Movie #34: WALL-E
09:01 Movie #33: A Separation
09:37 Movie #32: Bridesmaids
10:05 Movie #31: The Departed
10:24 Movie #30: Lost in Translation
10:55 Movie #29: Arrival
12:04 Movie #28: The Dark Knight
12:50 Movie #27: Adaptation
13:21 Movie #26: Anatomy of a Fall
13:59 Movie #25: Phantom Thread
14:38 Movie #24: Her
15:13 Movie #23: Boyhood
15:51 Movie #22: The Grand Budapest Hotel
16:02 Movie #21: The Royal Tenenbaums
17:14 Surprising Entries and Popular Hits
17:39 David Fincher's Redemption
18:51 Alfonso Cuarón's Breakthrough
19:29 Ang Lee's Masterpieces
20:07 City of God and Other Gems
20:42 Quentin Tarantino's Iconic Moments
22:46 Top 10 Countdown Begins
24:41 The Social Network and Its Impact
25:36 Miyazaki's Spirited Away
26:16 Jordan Peele's Get Out
26:48 Eternal Sunshine and Other Classics
27:48 Top 5 Films of the 21st Century
33:22 The Great Man Theory of Cinema
34:21 Final Thoughts and Audience Engagement
And look forward to our Alien-themed RPG “Facehuggers and Friends,” featuring members of the Umbrella Podcast Collective (https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/umbrella) as players. Releasing in June, in advance of FX’s “Alien: Earth” series (2025).
Follow the Umbrella Podcast Collective on IG at @umbrellapodcastcollective for updates on “Facehuggers and Friends: An Alien RPG.”
We want to know what you think about our podcast! Let us know in this brief survey here.
Listen to us on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming shows and announcements! Instagram Facebook Linktree
Check out our new merch shop here for tees, totes, stickers and more!
In this episode of 'Midday Movies,' hosts Laura and Stephen delve into the New York Times' list of the best movies of the 21st century. They discuss the first half of the list, films ranked from 100 to 51, sharing their opinions and insights about each selection. Titles discussed include 'Superbad,' 'Black Panther,' 'Gravity,' 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' and many more. They also touch on the selection process, which involved polling 500 of the most influential actors and directors. The hosts invite listeners to share their thoughts and look forward to covering the top 50 in the next episode.
00:00 Introduction and Overview
01:15 Discussing the New York Times List
02:41 Top 100 Movies Countdown Begins
03:22 Diving into the Top 90s
04:58 Exploring the Top 80s
08:05 Wrapping Up the First Half
09:41 The Odyssey Adaptation
10:12 The Florida Project
10:48 Ratatouille and Pixar Magic
11:22 Carol and Todd Haynes
11:40 Oceans 11: Pure Entertainment
12:13 Let the Right One In
12:24 Under the Skin
12:56 The Hurt Locker
13:24 Spotlight and Investigative Journalism
13:44 Gone Girl and Toxic Femininity
14:06 Little Miss Sunshine
14:28 Kill Bill Vol. 1
14:43 Whiplash: Pain and Performance
15:14 Uncut Gems and Adam Sandler
15:49 Inception: A Puzzle Box
16:19 Pan's Labyrinth
16:31 Borat: Cultural Learnings
16:50 The Favourite
17:12 12 Years a Slave
17:41 Conclusion and Next Steps
And look forward to our Alien-themed RPG “Facehuggers and Friends,” featuring members of the Umbrella Podcast Collective (https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/umbrella) as players. Releasing in June, in advance of FX’s “Alien: Earth” series (2025).
Follow the Umbrella Podcast Collective on IG at @umbrellapodcastcollective for updates on “Facehuggers and Friends: An Alien RPG.”
We want to know what you think about our podcast! Let us know in this brief survey here.
Listen to us on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming shows and announcements! Instagram Facebook Linktree
Check out our new merch shop here for tees, totes, stickers and more!
In this episode of 'Midday Movies', hosts Laura and Stephen dive into the 1989 cult classic 'Heathers,' starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. They explore its enduring influence on teen comedies like 'Clueless', 'Mean Girls', and 'Jawbreaker', the dark, Kubrickian portrayal of high school dynamics, and its thematically rich dialogue by Daniel Waters. Including key discussions on the film’s depiction of teenage violence, societal critique, and its fascinating characters, the hosts look at Veronica Sawyer's complex journey and JD's descent into madness. Additional insights touch on the film's cultural impact, its initial reception, and its unlikely romance trope, making this a comprehensive look at one of the sharpest pieces of cinema.
Content warning for discussions of domestic violence and self-harm.
00:00 Introduction to Midday Movies Podcast
00:07 Discussing the Cult Classic 'Heathers'
00:21 The Impact of 'Heathers' on Teen Movies
00:37 Personal Reflections on 'Heathers'
01:19 The Dark Themes of 'Heathers'
02:03 Character Analysis: Veronica and JD
09:02 The Unique Slang and Dialogue
12:12 The Social Commentary in 'Heathers'
13:27 The Glorification of Tragedy
18:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
19:40 Society and JD's Descent
20:26 Veronica's Struggle and JD's Madness
21:27 The Body Count and Veronica's Realization
22:36 JD's Transformation and Philosophical Nihilism
26:16 Winona Ryder's Career Impact
27:26 Heather's Cultural Impact and Legacy
34:58 Heather's Adaptations and Musical
36:06 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
And look forward to our Alien-themed RPG “Facehuggers and Friends,” featuring members of the Umbrella Podcast Collective (https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/umbrella) as players. Releasing in June, in advance of FX’s “Alien: Earth” series (2025).
Follow the Umbrella Podcast Collective on IG at @umbrellapodcastcollective for updates on “Facehuggers and Friends: An Alien RPG.”
We want to know what you think about our podcast! Let us know in this brief survey here.
Listen to us on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming shows and announcements! Instagram Facebook Linktree
Check out our new merch shop here for tees, totes, stickers and more!
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