Movies That Matter

Adam and Nicole discuss Yesterday, how determined we were not to be charmed by it and how utterly we failed, how we felt the film struck the right balance between high concept and fairy tale, and the central message of the movie: is it better to achieve greatness and die young or live a long life of mediocrity. We don't entirely agree with this article that the Beatles aren't timeless or that the music industry ignores great talent.

Adam recommends the Deadwood movie and Oblivion. Nicole recommends the Miley Cyrus episode of Black Mirror.

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Lexy and Nicole discuss Late Night, the genius of Emma Thompson, the particular care the movie showed to costuming, differing roles of women in the workplace, and being the diversity hire. The movie doesn't pull its punches on diversity hiring in contrast to undeserved success by nepotism. The movie is is a funny comedy with real heart.

Lexy recommends YouTuber (and forthcoming female late night host) Lily Singh. Nicole recommends Much Ado About Nothing.

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Garret S and Nicole discuss Rocketman, how happy we were to see an old-fashioned musical, the deft camerawork and choreography, and the journey to recovery. Read about Egerton’s transformation into Elton John. Also, learn more about how the overdose to concert scene was created.

Garret recommends Me and The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson. Nicole recommends A Very English Scandal.

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Stacy and Nicole discuss Poms, how the performances elevated a poor script, female companionship and the value of intergenerational friendships, and the tired of message of female empowerment through other women. We wonder who the movie was meant for and why any woman needs to be reminded that she needs women in her life. Check out the amazing senior dancers of the NBA, the Wizdom.

Stacy recommends the podcast, Thirteen Minutes to the Moon. Nicole recommends the Omega Paw self-cleaning litter box. Be sure to check out StacyErinMoore.com and catch up with Stacy.

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Garret S and Nicole discuss Ugly Dolls, the quirky and fun animation, how Janelle Monae stole the movie, the state of the animated musical, and how the movie’s message about what it means to be considered defective makes a good analogy for how deaf people have created their own flourishing culture. We cover a little bit of the history and richness of Deaf culture, American Sign Language, and Garret’s experiences at Gallaudet University. Read more about audism and the supression of ASL here and also the medical establishment’s continued incompetence in treating deaf children. Check out Nyle DiMarco taking shirt off to talk about all the issues deaf people face when confronted by police. Also see Garret’s article on treating deaf patients as a psychotherapist.

Garret recommends the books A Journey Into the Deaf-World, Deaf Like Me, and Not Quite Narwhal and the app The ASL App. Nicole recommends The Invisible Library.

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Garret S and Nicole discuss High Life, how wrong the critics were to praise the art of the film and ignore all its plot and thematic flaws, how little we can say about the movie because it made no sense, and the movie’s discomforting portrayal of sex including rape and masturbation. We discuss some trigger warnings but prefer you not see the movie at all.

Garret recommends the book Dead Man Walking: The Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty That Sparked a National Debate and Annihilation. Nicole recommends maternity pajamas. Even if you’re not pregnant.

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Garrett and Nicole discuss The Best of Enemies, the decidedly ho hum film-making, the ways that white people can be race baited against their economic interests, and whether racism is so baked into American it can never be eradicated. We veer into a discussion about casting actors with disabilities and whether it “diminishes acting.” We celebrate Claudette Colvin, who predated Rosa Parks and was not considered the appropriate face of the movement.

Garrett recommends Hotel Mumbai.

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Adam and Nicole discuss Captive State, how much they enjoyed the movie contrary to most critics, the pleasures of a plot driven movie, our desire for authoritarian rule, and our unwillingness to confront our own worst tendencies. The movie explores people’s inability to put the greater good over their own emotions because of the tendency to complacency. Adam draws out this subtler thread in the movie’s treatment of climate change. We commend the film for not showing the typical plot line of humans banded against the enemy rather our own selfish desires to protect ourselves. Listen to Radiolab’s discussion of Pew Research on democracy and read about how the Trump administration shut down EPA’s environmental justice office.

Adam recommends Us. Nicole recommends Uncover Season 1 on Escaping NXIVM.

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Lexy and Nicole discuss Captain Marvel, disagree on Brie Larson’s performance, the movie’s place in the Marvel MCU, compare it to 2017’s Wonder Woman, and discuss how Disney tackles feminism. We talk about how ultimately the movie fails to create a fully developed female character and that drags down any message it’s sending. Naturally the trolls came out of the woodwork on this one; read how content managers are struggling to handle the issue.

Lexy recommends My Hero Academia. Nicole recommends the Call Your Girlfriend episode The Women’s March (or why the only drama problem is no drama at all) and Fat Mascara’s episode on vaginal rejuvenation.

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Christopher and Nicole discuss Isn’t It Romantic, how the musical numbers were the highlight of the film, what makes a good romantic comedy, and the dangerous myths perpetuated by Hollywood about love. We talk about how the movie often undercuts the very points it’s trying to make and fails to tackle the actual problematic messages in romantic comedies. See if you agree or disagree with the CW’s list of most romantic movies. Check out one of the funnier take downs of unrealistic apartments, men with pillows.

Christopher recommends Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Lorena. Nicole recommends watching a classic romantic comedy.

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