Movies That Matter

Jen and Nicole discuss What Men Want, how they actually enjoyed the movie, the surprising comic genius of Erykah Badu, and the difficulties of trying to survive being a woman in a boy’s club, and how it’s workplace comedy a la Jerry Maguire rather than a rom-com a la What Women Want. They disagree with critics who say the movie had no message and think the movie is being judged too harshly. And if Taraji P. Henson could share her skincare line, Jen would appreciate it.

Jen recommends Sex Education and Nicole recommends Russian Doll.

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Garret S and Nicole discuss Serenity, how thoroughly we disliked the movie, the lack of anything to recommend it as a film (really, nothing), the false portrayal of domestic violence, and whether it’s ok to kill an abuser.

Garret recommends Ex Machina and Westworld. Nicole recommends Moon.

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Garret S and Nicole discuss Escape Room, the cinematic failings of the movie in creating tension, the problem of survivor’s guilt, and trauma and post traumatic-stress disorder. We commend the set design and light touch with CGI. We also think about how the movie plays into gender stereotypes of the different ways men and women approach problem solving (and decides women are better).

Garret recommends The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, The Survivor’s Club: The Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Life, and adult coloring books. Nicole recommends treating furloughed workers with sensitivity.

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Nicole and Garrett discuss Vice, differing opinions on the quality of the movie, the incredible transformation by Christian Bale and the rest of the cast’s ability to capture real figures, and our experiences of the Bush administration. Follow our wide-ranging discussion on politics and how Bush and 9/11 got us to where we are today. Read Garrett’s review of the movie on Cinema Babel and follow up on the controversy over the credits scene. Check out The Hill’s argument in favor of exile as punishment.

Nicole recommends the podcast, The Dream. Garrett recommends Buying the War, a Bill Moyers’ documentary, and The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic by Mike Duncan.

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Nicole and Jen discuss Widows, the stellar performances by the entire cast (especially the sweet-faced Olivia), our interpretations of critical moments in the film like the ending, differing opinions on the son subplot, and break down the movie’s criticism of corruption inherent in Chicago’s institutions.

Jen recommends Twelve Years a Slave.

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Nicole and Garret discuss Boy Erased, the need for a trigger warning for the very graphic rape scene, Nicole Kidman in one of her best roles, the toll of taking on heavy emotional content, and how we’d rewrite the ending. We tackle how we deal with parents who won’t accept us and how damaging it is to be disowned. We also discuss gay conversion therapy and how useless and harmful it is. Read Josh and Lolly Weed’s moving post about the dissolution of their marriage as they accepted it was impossible to live life as a gay man in a straight marriage.

Garret recommends the book Boy Erased, The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man’s World, and Prayers for Bobby. Nicole recommends But I’m a Cheerleader.

We’re excited! Movies That Matter was named 33 on Feedspot’s Top 40 Movies Podcasts You Must Subscribe and Listen To.

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Nicole and Garret discuss A Star is Born, the skill of the direction, the stellar vocal and acting performances, and how talent relates to fame. Check out this article from Vox defining a four quadrant movie.

Garret recommends Lady Gaga’s acoustic performances and checking out the career progression of Bradley Cooper. Nicole recommends the biopic loosely based on Carole King called Grace of My Heart.

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For our special extended Black Panther episode Nicole and Stacy switch off hosting the discussion with Sarí and Christopher. We discuss the merits of Chadwick Boseman, the power of Disney and representation, the badassery of the women in the movie, tradition and family, growing up black in America, and the historical Black Panthers. Check out the Rita Moreno interview that talks about the importance of properly filming a dance scene (or an action sequence!) and director Ryan Coogler describing how he filmed the action sequence in the Korean club.  Read the case for Black Panther being required viewing for white people, but maybe don't see Wolf Warrior.

Christopher recommends reading the newest Black Panther comics by Ta-Nehisi Coates and also his book, We Were Eight Years in Power. Sarí recommends Chris Rock's newest special, Tambourine, and Nicole recommends Moonlight.

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Nicole and Garret discuss White Boy Rick, the movie’s failure to tell a good story, and outgrowth of the war on drugs from the 1980s crack epidemic. Read the Atavist article for an overview of the true story of Rick Wershe Jr.

Garret recommends Actual Innocence: When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make it Right and The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. Nicole recommends seeing Hamilton.

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Nicole and Christopher discuss Operation Finale, antisemitism, and the “banality of evil”. The Columbia Journalism Review covers the public outrage over the New York Times story on a neo-Nazi. Hear Jason Kessler profess that he’s like totally not a Nazi on a terrible NPR interview. Christopher misspoke— Letter to a Christian Nation is by Sam Harris. Read Martin Niemoller’s famous words about the dangers of not speaking out.

Christopher recommends Atomic Blonde. Nicole recommends Conspiracy.

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