Movies That Matter

Adam and Nicole discuss Dr. Sleep, our overall enjoyment of the film as we pick apart some of the flaws, some of the differences between the book and the film, how quality horror connects with us, and the film's treatment of alcoholism. Read how Mike Flanagan discussed the film with Stephen King.

Adam recommends Leaving Las Vegas.

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Jen and Nicole discuss Harriet, how the movie fell flat despite excellent performances by the cast, the serious problem with the black slave catcher character who was a grotesque stereotype, and how badly the supernatural element undercut the true heroism of Harriet Tubman. Ultimately, we're let down by the portrayal of Harriet Tubman's heroism as supernatural in place of a true understanding of the woman herself.

Compare the movie with the real history from Slate. Catch up on the controversies surrounding the movie.

 Jen recommends Drunk History - Harriet Tubman Leads an Army of Bad B*tches. Nicole recommends a foot hammock for more comfortable airplane trips (we don't get any money if you click the link).

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Nicole and Garrett discuss Bad Times at the El Royale, how the quality of the cinematic elements don’t match the poor plot, the fact that the horror genre is making the highest quality films these days, and how genre films get snubbed by the Oscars. Read how The Guardian coined the sub-genre “post-horror” to describe the flourish of creativity happening in horror.

Garrett recommends Free Fire and Mandy.

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Garret and Nicole discuss Judy, our differing opinions on how much we liked it, how well we think Renee Zellweger captured Judy Garland,  how and why Judy Garland became a gay icon, and how camp is attracting more people. Read J. Bryan Lowder's meditation on whether gay culture is leaving camp behind. Nicole's research included this article from the BBC on the evolving role of Judy Garland in the gay community and this one from Pop Matters on what makes a gay icon.

Garret recommends Culture Clash: The Making of Gay Sensibility, Enough Rope by Dorothy Parker, The Harder They Fall: Celebrities Tell Their Real Life Stories of Addiction and Recovery. Nicole recommends Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville.

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Lexy and Nicole discuss Hustlers, the problem of not being willing to make the main character a calculating criminal, the portrayal of the dancers as athletes-- not sex objects, and how we think about exploitation in terms of crime and sex work. Read the article from The Cut that inspired the movie. We hearken back to our discussion of Widows and how perception of crime depends on who's perpetrating it. Listen to Lorene Scafaria talk about making the movie. Check out the small study on the comparison of sex work in the UK versus other low-skilled jobs. Also listen to Cecilia and Jessica and the Bunny Ranch from the Criminal podcast.

Nicole recommends the podcast, The Oath. Lexy recommends Lily Singh's A Little Late with Lily Singh.

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Lexy and Nicole discuss Brittany Runs A Marathon, the movie's relatable story of Brittany's struggle, our appreciation for Jillian Bell's non-stereotypical Hollywood body, and the body positivity movement and it's issues with weight loss. Read about some of the flak the movie caught for its weight loss story line in Quartzy and Runners World. Also read Shauntay Snell's story of being heckled during the NYC marathon.

Lexy recommends Jazzmyne Robbins on Buzzfeed. Nicole recommends two This American Life episodes: If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say, SAY IT IN ALL CAPS and Tell Me I'm Fat.

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Garret S and Nicole discuss Where'd You Go Bernadette, our wildly divergent opinions on the movie, the comparison to  the book, and the theme of re-finding your passion late in life and how it relates to the podcast we make. We discuss the juxtaposition of analog and digital creativity.

Garret recommends Death of an Innocent, the original article that inspired Into the Wild, and Dead Poet's Society. Nicole recommends Madame Secretary. And both Garret and Nicole recommend finding your passion.

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Stacy and Nicole discuss Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the more meditative style of the movie, the overbearing sound design, feet-- all the shots of feet, our differing views on Cliff as a killer, and the misogyny surrounding the movie. Ultimately, we rule that this wasn't so much a case of misogyny given his previous work, but still an issue with unconscious bias in how the women in the movie are portrayed. We disagree on whether Cliff killed his wife, what do you think? Read Dana Stevens review from Slate who also finds men doing things less interesting that the director does. Also, refresh your memory on Tarantino's hostile response to being questioned about not giving Sharon Tate many lines.

Stacy recommends That's Not Me. Nicole recommends watching the new seas of Veronica Mars along with her.

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Christopher and Nicole with special guest, Dan, discuss The Farewell and the issues that come along with generational conflicts that cross international boundaries as well. We disagree about the actual quality of the filmmaking particularly the bizarre score, Dan discusses the dissonance between what was considered funny by Asian vs non-Asian audiences, and the tension between the families who emigrate and the families who stay. It's worth hearing the real story from This American Life. For more on Lulu Wang, check out this article from The Atlantic.

Nicole recommends early Ang Lee: The Wedding Banquet and Eat Drink Man Woman. Christopher recommends Star Trek: Discovery.

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Garret S and Nicole discuss Midsommar, the superior craft of the film in terms of cinematography, art direction, and acting, but the overall letdown of the story, the very realistic portrayal of grief, and what does a garden level bad boyfriend really deserve? As a current and a former grad student, we're here to tell you that there was absolutely nothing correct in the movie about being a grad student or writing a thesis. For more backstory on how the movie was made, check out this article from the LA Times.

Garret recommends The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Nicole recommends support groups, namely The Compassionate Friends.

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