Midday Movies

Today we're discussing series one of the 2010s British television masterpiece, "Fleabag." Created by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, this 6-episode series is adapted from Phoebe's successful 2013 theater piece and follows the grief-fueled misadventures of a messy 20-something who has recently lost her closest friend, is navigating complex family drama, and who has a deeply dysfunctional relationship with relationships. Hilarious and heavy, "Fleabag" is a significant entry into the female antihero cannon, tackling issues of human fallibility and the bad things we do when we feel bad. Anticipate pathos and the particularities of British culture -- let's get into it!

Today we're analyzing the newest Mad Max film, "Furiosa," now streaming on HBO MAX. Starring Anya Taylor Joy and Chris Hemsworth, and written and directed by George Miller, "Furiosa" is the most detail-rich Mad Max we've yet seen. Crossing an epic 20 years of history and giving insight into the inner workings of Immortan Joe's vast Wasteland empire, we follow young Furiosa from her kidnapping by raiders, to her imprisonment in Dementus' road warrior gang, to her arrival in the Citadel -- first as a potential wife and then as a Wasteland-ladder-climbing War Boy. It's giving Viola from Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" and it's wonderful. Epic car chases, a brutal war for resources, and a war buddy romance for the ages are all elements that make this entry into the Mad Max saga unforgettable. Let's get into it!

Today we're reviewing the 2024 horror film, "Immaculate," now streaming on Hulu. Starring Sydney Sweeney and taking place in a remote Italian convent, this religion-themed thriller centers on an improbable, seemingly immaculate conception by novice nun Cecilia. But, of course, there are more sinister forces afoot than any divine plan. With delightful side characters (including Benedetta Porcaroli and Simona Tabasco) played by Italian actors you probably haven't seen before, the idyllic countryside hides layers of secrets that include ancient Christ relics and one monk's mysterious biological preoccupations. There's gore if you want it and Ancient Roman catacombs -- so, let's get into it!

Today we're discussing television shows that we (and the redditors of r/AskReddit) consider to be 10-out-of-10 amazing. Mind-bendy, rewatchable, and much beloved, these shows defined our childhoods, broadened our adult perspectives, or just plain burrowed themselves into our hearts. Are your favorite shows classic anthologies that defined a genre like the original "Twilight Zone"? Or do you prefer cinematic, well-acted series with Shakespearean stakes like "Breaking Bad"? Or are you the sort to snuggle up to rewatchable comfort shows like "30 Rock"? We share our lists and we hope you'll share yours -- let's get into it!

Today we're talking about some of the ghostly residents of the Pacific Northwest (informed by Margaret Read MacDonald's book, "Ghost Stories from the Pacific Northwest"). Widely considered to be horror-movie-spooky and a nest of cryptids, the PNW is also known for housing a number of jolly ghosts. We're sharing the stories of three such post-human entities, all of whom reside in PNW museums. Are you ready to hear the tale of Grace Ceperley, the grey lady ghost who just wanted her home's proceeds to be used to build a children's playground in Stanley Park? Or the chilling encounters attributed to ceremonial objects at Seattle's Luke Wing Museum? Or, what of the long-suffering public servant who's set up office in historic Smith Tower? Imagine there's a campfire, let's gather around it, and listen to these PNW ghost stories.

Today we’re reviewing the newly-released indie horror film, “Cuckoo” (2024). Written and directed by Tilman Singer and starring Hunter Schafer, “Cuckoo” is the most unique horror concept we’ve seen in a while. Set in an isolated resort in the Swiss Alps, with a mysterious billionaire proprietor (played by Dan Stevens), a cutting edge medically facility, and a 10pm curfew everywhere, the eerie and disorienting elements of the film will keep you guessing until the very end. Though high concept, the heart of the film is simple — navigating the difficulties of a blended family and finding connection in the midst of chaos. Join us for an exploration of the clockwork horror of “Cuckoo.” Let’s get into it!

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Today we’re discussing the recently-released video game film, “Borderlands” (2024). Written and directed by Eli Roth, starring Cate Blanchett, and featuring gamers’ most beloved Pandora environments, this film captures so much of the fun associated with the looter-shooter video game series. As avid fans of the Borderlands franchise, Stephen and Laura were delighted to see the anarcho-capitalist, post-apocalyptic Pandora brought to life. Here we saw Academy Award-winners painstakingly craft our favorite characters, production designers bring Sanctuary to vibrant life, and once-maligned Hyperion robots (played by Jack Black) finally grow a spine and assert themselves upon the hostile landscape. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

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Today we’re reviewing M. Night Shyamalan’s newest film, “Trap” (2024). Starring Josh Hartnett, Haley Mills, and Shyamalan’s own daughter Saleka, this unique thriller is a kind of anti-heist that centers on one serial killer’s attempt to evade capture at a stadium concert venue (while also showing his daughter the time of her life with her favorite pop star). Cleverly constructed, endlessly surprising, and with many lovable side characters, this horror movie is an unexpectedly rich viewing experience. With 30,000 concert-goers, 300 police, and one “Butcher,” who will you be rooting for? Let’s get into it!

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Today we are concluding our discussion of the Netflix top 10 docuseries, “Dirty Pop: the Boy Band Scam” (Dir. David Terry Fine). In this part two, we’re discussing the financial crimes side of pop mega-manager Lou Pearlman. From lopsided management contracts with Backstreet Boys and N* SYNC to aeronautics insurance fraud to making an enemy of a high-profile trial lawyer, we lay out the multivariate elements of Lou’s shell game, which amounted to the longest-running Ponzi scheme in American history. Prepare yourself for a tale encompassing the Good Year blimp, a former Nazi airman, a popular financial blogger, and the collective forces of the FBI descending on Bali. Docuseries features testimony from AJ McClean, Howie D, Chris Kirkpatrick, Eric Michael Estrada, Michael Johnson, and Patrick King. This is Lou Pearlman’s final act — so, let’s get into it!

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Today we are discussing the Netflix top 10 docuseries, “Dirty Pop: the Boy Band Scam” (Dir. David Terry Fine). This series follows Lou Pearlman, the “Big Poppa” of pop music managers and creator of mega groups like Backstreet Boys, N*SYNC, and O-Town. Within the glitz and glamour of the Boy Band era, though, is the financially predatory action of the man who made this era of pop music possible. In this part one episode, we discuss the formation of these iconic boy bands, the larger-than-lifestyle that came with being managed by Lou Pearlman, and the behind-the-scenes con that made it all happen. Docuseries features testimony from AJ McClean, Howie D, Chris Kirkpatrick, Eric Michael Estrada, Michael Johnson, and Patrick King. Let’s get into it!

Follow us on your favorite podcast platform for more!⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/middaymusingspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Linktree⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/middaymusingspod⁠⁠