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In this podcast, we talk about Millenials, born around the year 2000. We want to take a closer look at their lives and compare two films. “Paris, 13th District” shows the relationships of young people in Paris, which are characterized by superficiality and digital alienation. “The Worst Person in the World” portrays a young woman in Norway who wanders aimlessly through life, searching for her place.  

Both films capture the restlessness and indecision of a generation that has grown up with the internet.

Plot:  

Paris, 13th District (FRA 2021)  

Émilie meets Camille, who is attracted to Nora, who in turn encounters Amber. Three women and one man – they are friends, sometimes lovers, and often both.  

The Worst Person in the World (NOR 2021)  

Four years in the life of Julie, a young woman who tries to navigate her troubled love life and find her career path, leading her to take a realistic look at who she really is.

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In this podcast, we talk about the TV show “Dawson’s Creek” (USA 1998–2003), created by Kevin Williamson. The series consists of six seasons and 128 episodes.  

The US television series is about the emotional challenges and relationships of a group of teenagers in a small coastal town. It centers on the relationship triangle between Joey and her two best friends, Dawson and Pacey.  

We shed light on the characters and their development and provide insights into the plot and the central conflicts of the series.  

Plot:   

Set in a small coastal town in Massachusetts named Capeside, “Dawson's Creek” tells the story of several teenagers as they struggle through adolescence.  

The show concentrates mostly on the two childhood best friends, Dawson and Joey. Dawson is an introspective dreamer, and Joey is a very smart girl who is unaware of her beauty. Best friends since childhood, they are about to enter that confusing time in life where nothing is as it was and nothing is as it seems.  

Their friendship is tested when they both start a relationship with each other and later with different people.

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In this podcast, we talk about Coralie Fergeat’s French action thriller “Revenge” from 2017.  

Plot:

The wealthy and married Frenchman Richard flies with his lover Jen from Los Angeles to his secluded desert home via helicopter to spend a few days together. After a night filled with alcohol and intimacy, Richard’s friends Stan and Dimitri arrive for a planned hunting trip.  

The next morning, Richard temporarily leaves the house to take care of some business. While he’s away, Jen is raped by Stan, while Dimitri does nothing to intervene.  

When Richard returns and learns of the crime, he offers Jen money to keep her silent. However, Jen threatens to tell his wife everything and flees. The three men chase her, and Richard ultimately pushes her off a cliff. She survives the fall and vows revenge.

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In this podcast, we talk about “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” by director Wes Ball from 2024. It’s a standalone sequel to “War for the Planet of the Apes” (2017).  

Set several generations after Caesar's reign, the film depicts a conflict between a tyrannical ape rule and a group of survivors fighting for their survival.  

Critics praise the technical quality and staging, but criticize the predictable plot. Despite the absence of Caesar, the film offers an entertaining cinematic experience and could mark the beginning of a new trilogy.  

The main roles are played by relatively unknown actors, with the exception of William H. Macy in a guest role.  

Plot:  

The film is set several generations in the future after Caesar’s reign, where apes have become the dominant species on Earth and live in harmony with nature. The primates are roughly at the level of Stone Age humans.  

The original human race has been reduced to a shadow of its former self.  

While a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, a young ape embarks on a long and arduous journey that forces him to question everything he thought he knew about the past and make decisions that will shape the future for both primates and humans alike.

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In this podcast, we talk about two films of French Nouvelle Vague director Eric Rohmer: “Pauline at the Beach” (1983) and “Full Moon in Paris” (1984), both part of the "Comedies and Proverbs" series.  

We analyze the plots, characters, and themes of these films, emphasizing Rohmer's focus on female perspectives and flawed human relationships.  

"Pauline at the Beach" portrays a young girl's observations of adult behavior, while "Full Moon in Paris" examines a woman's search for independence and fulfillment.  

We appreciate the direction in "Pauline at the Beach" and consider it a superior film, while viewing "Full Moon in Paris" as one of the weaker films in the series. Both films offer insights into human nature with Rohmer’s trademark style.  

We will gradually review the other films of Eric Rohmer as well. To avoid missing these reviews, you can subscribe to our channel and activate the notification bell. This way, you’ll stay updated on the next Rohmer film critiques and all other new releases on this channel.  

Plot:  

“Pauline at the Beach” (1983)  

Fifteen-year-old Pauline and her older cousin Marion, who looks like a model, spend their autumn vacation at the increasingly deserted Atlantic coast. Marion is unimpressed by the advances of a surfer and instead falls for Henri, a hedonist who is only seeking a fleeting adventure and soon leaves her. Pauline's tender romance with the young Sylvain is also ruined by Henri.  

"Full Moon in Paris" (1984)  

Louise, a young interior designer from the Paris suburbs, feels torn between her boyfriend, a married lover, and her desire for a fulfilling, balanced life. She takes a step toward independence by renting a small apartment in Paris.

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In this podcast we present "The Handmaid's Tale" TV series, Season 1-6. We provide an overview of the plot, detailing the dystopian setting of Gilead where women are oppressed, and the protagonist June's journey as a Handmaid.  

We also offer a critical analysis of the show, discussing its strengths like character development and Elisabeth Moss's performance, alongside weaknesses such as pacing issues and the handling of certain character storylines.  

We conclude by highlighting the show's dark themes and its powerful, albeit sometimes difficult, viewing experience.  

Plot:  

A repressive theocracy based on Christianity has taken over most of the United States, renaming the country Gilead. Women are second-class citizens. The heroine of the story, June, is captured while trying to escape to Canada with her husband and child.  

She is made a Handmaid, tasked with bearing babies for childless government officials. June, now called Offred, is stationed in the household of Fred and Serena.

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In this podcast we talk about a new trend in film: the emergence of horror anti-RomComs that explore the dark side of love.  

These films, whose origins lie in the 18th century gothic romance genre, mix horror with romance and reflect modern fears. They invert familiar romcom patterns and show the horrors of dating situations, obsession and betrayal. By emphasizing survival and confronting these fears, they offer a cathartic experience.  

Future projects point to the continued popularity of this genre as audiences seek out stories that reveal the terrifying nature of love.

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In this podcast, we talk about the 2021 films The Power of the Dog (NZL 2021) by Jane Campion and Belfast (GBR 2021) by Kenneth Branagh.  

We critique both films' plots and artistic merit, while also offering observations on the Oscar awards from recent years.  

We find "The Power of the Dog" to be somewhat confusing despite strong acting, and is disappointed that "Belfast" fails to fully capitalize on its dramatic setup. We express a strong negative opinion regarding the perceived political correctness and declining quality of the Oscars.  

Plot:  

The Power of the Dog (NZL 2021)  

In 1920s Montana, wealthy rancher Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch) torments his brother’s new wife, Rose (Kirsten Dunst), and her sensitive son, Peter. As tensions rise, Phil’s cruel demeanor hides deeper secrets, unraveling in a slow-burning psychological drama. Jane Campion’s direction explores so called toxic masculinity, repression, and subtle power shifts against a stark Western landscape.  

Belfast (GBR 2021)  

Set in 1969 Northern Ireland, Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical film follows young Buddy, a boy navigating childhood amid the escalating Troubles. Through his Protestant family’s joys and struggles, the black-and-white drama captures love, loss, and resilience. With heartfelt performances and nostalgic warmth, Belfast portrays a community torn by conflict, as Buddy’s family faces tough choices about their future.

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In this podcast, we discuss “War for the Planet of the Apes” (2017), directed by Matt Reeves. This film is the sequel to “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011) and “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (2014).

We rate the third part of the reboot series as technically impressive, but weak in terms of plot. The ape characters are portrayed as impressive, in contrast to the stereotypical human characters. We criticize the forced comedy, the simple revenge story and the lack of diversity in the cast. Overall, we see a clear drop in quality compared to the predecessors.  

We will review the fourth part of this film series as well. To avoid missing this review, you can subscribe to our channel and activate the notification bell. This way, you’ll stay updated on the next Planet of the Apes critique and all other new releases on this channel.  

Plot  

Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his colony of apes are forced into a deadly conflict with a human army led by a ruthless colonel. After suffering unimaginable losses, Caesar, driven by the murder of his family, seeks revenge. When Caesar and the colonel (Woody Harrelson) finally face off, a battle ensues that will determine the future of the planet for both species.

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In this podcast, we discuss the action-crime drama series “Gangs of London”, created by Gareth Evans and Matt Flannery, starring Sope Dirisu, Michelle Fairley, and Lucian Msamati.  

We highlight its plot involving the power struggles between international gangs after a crime boss's assassination. We emphasize the show's relentless and extreme brutality, likening it to "Game of Thrones" in its core themes of family rivalry and the fight for dominance.  

We praise the gripping nature of each season and note the show's intensity with few moments of respite. We also mention a fun fact about one of the lead actresses who also appeared in "Game of Thrones".  

Plot  

"Gangs of London" is a British action-crime drama series created by Gareth Evans and Matt Flannery. Set in present-day London, the story follows the power struggles of international gangs after the head of the city's most powerful crime family, Finn Wallace, is assassinated. His son, Sean, seeks to take control, clashing with various global syndicates.  

Across three seasons, the series explores betrayal, violent turf wars, and shifting alliances as London descends into chaos. The show is a gritty tale of power and revenge.