"‘Black Widow’ is directed by Cate Shortland and stars Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz. Originally scheduled to come out in May of 2020, it was delayed because of the pandemic. Now it’s out in theaters, making it the first movie released by Marvel Studios since July of 2019. Charles Hinshaw reviews the film and he, J. McVay, and Jacqueline Soller discuss.

Plus a live performance from niecesandnephews, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller, Charles Hinshaw

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/hTaM9zJIfE4[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

00:57 - Movie Review: Charles Hinshaw on ‘Black Widow’

03:30 - Group discussion on ‘Black Widow’ and the overall MCU [SPOILER ALERT]

75:50 - "Missing Step" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - niecesandnephews

80:10 - Outro/credits

81:02 - Finish.

"

"‘No Sudden Movie’’ is directed by Steven Soderbergh. It stars Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour, Jon Hamm, Amy Seimetz, Brendan Fraser, Kieran Culkin, and Noah Jupe – and it’s available now to stream on HBO Max.

‘Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)’ is directed by Questlove and features footage shot during the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which went largely unseen for 50 years. Featuring performances by Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone, The 5th Dimension, the Staples Singers, and Sly and the Family Stone – among others – the documentary is distributed by Searchlight Pictures and playing now in select theaters. It’s also available on Hulu.

J. McVay and Charles Hinshaw discuss both those films.

Plus a live performance from Wes Tirey, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Contributor on Movies: Charles Hinshaw

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/ZpNFhWQX5Mw[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/6awDoDRGThA[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

01:02 - Movie Review: Charles Hinshaw on ‘No Sudden Move

2:55 - Movie Chat: Charles Hinshaw + J. McVay [SPOILER ALERT]

31:35 - 1st Person: Omari // On The Disaster Of Starting A Studio With His Friend

37:30 - Movie Review: Charles Hinshaw on ‘Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)’

39:45 - Movie Chat: Charles Hinshaw + J. McVay [SPOILER ALERT]

62:00 - "Overworked, Underslept" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - Wes Tirey

67:20 - Outro/credits

68:05 - Finish.

"

"Associate producer Joe Virgillito speaks with Julie Kliegman, Copy Chief for Sports Illustrated, about trans athlete bans going into effect in states across the country, the invasiveness of these laws, and how this issue has become a culture war cudgel. You can follow her on Twitter @jmkliegman and you can find her writing on this topic in a thread on that account.

Later in the episode, J. McVay and Jacqueline Soller discuss the new film, ‘False Positive,’ directed by John Lee and starring Ilana Glazer, Justin Theroux, and Pierce Brosnan – distributed by A24 and available to stream on Hulu.

Plus live performances from Gracie and Rachel and Talay, both recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito

Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/H_zG28DsucM[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/sKzWxN7m1SI[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/6sx6ySzBBr0[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

01:12 - Julie Kliegman on Trans Athlete Bans (interview by Joe Virgillito)

22:20 - 1st Person: Ben // Saving Someone From Suicide

26:45 - Movie Review: Jacqueline Soller on ‘False Positive’

27:50 - Movie Chat: Jacqueline Soller + J. McVay [SPOILER ALERT]

48:15 - "trust (a whisper)" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - Gracie and Rachel

53:02 - "Forever Now" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - Talay

56:30 - Outro/credits

57:14 - Finish.

"

"Associate producer Joe Virgillito speaks with Madeline Peltz – senior researcher at Media Matters for America – about the right wing media ecosystem, the life cycle of far right conspiracies, and the propaganda skills of former Trump White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon. You can find Madeline Peltz’s work on MediaMatters.org and follow her on Twitter @peltzmadeline. You can also find her research partner on Twitter @justinhorowitz_.

Later in the episode, J. McVay and Charles Hinshaw discuss ‘Plan B.’ The first film directed by Natalie Morales, it stars Kuhoo Verma and Victoria Moroles and it’s available to watch on Hulu.

Plus live performances from Sarah Osborne and Milly, both recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito

Contributors on Movies: Charles Hinshaw

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/eEGQDwJk8f0[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/zuh_408-RV4[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

01:12 - Right Wing Media After Trump w/ Madeline Peltz (interview by Joe Virgillito)

29:00 - Movie Review: Charles Hinshaw on ‘Plan B’

30:35 - Movie Chat: Charles Hinshaw + Jeremiah McVay [SPOILER ALERT]

57:00 - "Let It Rain" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - Sarah Osborne

61:20 - "Teach Old Dogs New Tricks" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - Milly

65:38 - Outro/credits

66:23 - Finish.

"

"J. McVay and Jacquleine Soller discuss ‘In The Heights,’ directed by Jon M. Chu. Based on the Tony award-winning stage musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda, it stars Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, and Jimmy Smits. It’s now in theaters and is available to watch on HBO Max until July 11th.

We also have 1st Person stories from a few people the BTRtv team has spoken to in recent months about their experiences either during the pandemic or Black Lives Matter protests.

Plus live performances from Alex Lleo and Ifeanyi Elswith, both recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/ZLHblvmVxyY[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/BkSatbqhBeU[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/lSCppEu5jjw[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/lV5S6vaZ0NU[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/3jCJt8I8H3w[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

01:07 - Movie Review: Jacqueline Soller on ‘In The Heights’

02:40 - Movie Chat: Jacqueline Soller + Jeremiah McVay [SPOILER ALERT]

29:10 - "The Old Walk" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - Alex Lleo

33:55 - "Standing In My Garden" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - Ifeanyi Elswith

39:30 - Ashley // Teaching During The Pandemic

46:40 - Alana // On Her Entire Household Being Hit By COVID - 19

56:30 - Kaddy // Participating In The Black Lives Matter Protests in Atlanta

62:45 - A Note On Juneteenth

64:35 - Outro/credits

65:18 - Finish.

"

"Joe Virgillito speaks with Ryan Cooper, national correspondent at The Week and co-host of the Left Ancho‪r‬ podcast, about the latest assaults on democracy being carried out by the Republican Party and the ability of the Democratic Party to stand up to the GOP – or their lack thereof

Later in the episode, J. McVay and Jacqueline Soller discuss ‘Censor,’ which is directed by Prano Bailey-Bond and stars Niamh Algar. Distributed by Magnet Releasing, it premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival. It’s now in theaters as of June 11th, and will be available on demand on June 18th.

Plus live performances from Golden Alphabet and Phantom Wave, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito

Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/wngnCFxZCbc[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/RUgETqrPfdk[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

01:12 - The GOP Assault on Democracy w/ Ryan Cooper (interview by Joe Virgillito)

26:15 - Movie Review: Jacqueline Soller on ‘Censor’

27:32 - Movie Chat: Jacqueline Soller + Jeremiah McVay [SPOILER ALERT]

53:45 - "The Way I Was Born" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - Golden Alphabet

57:30 - "Billows" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - Phantom Wave

63:00 - Outro/credits

63:46 - Finish.

"

"Joe Virgillito speaks with author Robin Marty about the United States Supreme Court taking up a case out of Mississippi that could dramatically change the future of reproductive rights in the country. Marty is the author of The (New) Handbook for a Post-Roe America.

Later in the episode, J. McVay and Charles Hinshaw discuss ‘A Quiet Place Part II,’ directed by John Krasinski. In this direct sequel to the first installment from 2018, stars Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe are joined by Cillian Murphy and Djimon Hounsou. Distributed by Paramount Pictures, it opened over the Memorial Day weekend to the biggest box office gross of any movie since February 2019, before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Plus live performances from Willa Amai and The Planes, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito

Contributors on Movies: Charles Hinshaw

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/TD9-fzQxd1s[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/XuOndT_HnT0[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

01:15 - The Future of Roe v. Wade w/ Robin Marty (interview by Joe Virgillito)

32:00 - Movie Review: Charles Hinshaw on ‘A Quiet Place Part II’

33:50 - Movie Chat: Charles Hinshaw + Jeremiah McVay [SPOILER ALERT]

62:11 - “Too Close" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - Willa Amai

66:00 - “Decoder Ring" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - The Planes

68:55 - Outro/credits

69:40 - Finish.

"

"After taking 2020 off from this sort of thing (for, you know, reasons), this week we have our 2021 Summer Movie Preview, featuring the movies being released from Memorial to Labor Day that we’re most excited to see. We also discuss our own recent ventures out to theaters post-vaccinations and our thoughts on the future of moviegoing as these releases hopefully attract people to venture away from streaming options -- when safely possible, of course!

Plus a live performance from Endearments, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Here are the movies mentioned in the episode, by release date:

May 28

Cruella (dir. Craig Gillespie) / Theatrical & Disney+

Plan B (dir. Natalie Morales) / Hulu

A Quiet Place Part II (dir. John Krasinski) / Theatrical

June 1

Changing the Game (dir. Michael Barnett) / Hulu

June 4

All Light, Everywhere (dir. Theo Anthony)

Undine (dir. Christian Petzold) / Internet

June 11

Censor (dir. Prano Bailey-Bond) / Theatrical

In The Heights (dir. Jon M. Chu) / Theatrical & HBO Max

June 18

Siberia (dir. Abel Ferrara) / Theatrical

June 25

False Positive (dir. John Lee) / Hulu

June 30

Zola (dir. Janicza Bravo) / Theatrical

July 2

Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (dir. Questlove) / Hulu

July 9

Black Widow (dir. Cate Shortland) / Theatrical + Disney+

July 14

Gunpowder Milkshake (dir. Navot Papushado) / Netflix

July 23

Old (dir. M. Night Shyamalan) / Theatrical

Snake Eyes (dir. Robert Schwentke) / Theatrical

July 30

The Green Knight (dir. David Lowery) / Theatrical

Stillwater (dir. Tom McCarthy) /

August 6

The Suicide Squad (dir. James Gunn) / Theatrical + HBO Max

August 13

CODA (dir. Sian Heder) / Theatrical + Apple TV+

Free Guy (dir. Shawn Levy) / Theatrical

August 27

Candyman (dir. Nia DaCosta) / Theatrical

September 3

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (dir. Destin Daniel Cretton) / Theatrical

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller, Charles Hinshaw

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/nG7C1ikfP0c[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

00:55 - START /// 2021 Summer Movie Preview

06:00 - Round 1 picks

12:15 - Round 2 picks

18:45 - Round 3 picks

27:10 - Round 4 picks

36:20 - Round 5 picks

42:45 - Honorable mentions and more

50:05 - Streaming vs. theatrical / future of moviegoing /// END

57:20 - “Left Side" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - Endearments

62:05 - Outro/credits

62:42 - Finish.

"

"Joe Virgillito speaks with Dr. Celine Gounder about ways to boost confidence in the vaccines available to protect against COVID-19. Dr. Gounder is the CEO/President/Founder of Just Human Productions, a non-profit multimedia organization and is host and producer of two podcasts – American Diagnosis and Epidemic. She has also contributed to or appeared on several high profile publications and news outlets such as The New Yorker, The Washington Post, MSNBC, CBS, while she is currently a medical analyst for CNN and has been on President Biden’s COVID-19 Advisory Board.

Later in the episode, Jacqueline Soller and Charles Hinshaw discuss the film ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead,’ directed by Taylor Sheridan and starring Angelina Jolie, Nicholas Hoult, Aidan Gillen, and Jon Bernthal – distributed by New Line Cinema and available to stream on HBO Max.

Plus a live performance from Michael Cormier, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Associate Producer: Joe Virgillito

Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller, Charles Hinshaw

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/iW2dft9_eDA[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

01:22 - START /// Dr. Celine Gounder on Vaccine Confidence

02:50 - Vaccine hesitancy vs. vaccine confidence

07:45 - Actual vs. anticipated challenges

10:25 - The political factors

15:55 - American individualism vs. collective good

21:35 - Historical factors / social media and misinfo/disinfo

29:45 - Grassroots approach /// END

32:50 - Movie Review: Charles Hinshaw on ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead’

34:20 - Movie Chat: Charles Hinshaw + Jacqueline Soller [SPOILER ALERT]

63:40 - “Last Hurrah" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - Michael Cormier

67:40 - Outro/credits

68:20 - Finish.

"

"J. McVay speaks with Emily Smith, as we continue our series of recurring segments in which we meet the people behind what we do here at BTRtoday. Emily produces Ladies Skate Only, BTR Top 10, The Alt-Country Show, and Roadside Assistance.

Later in the episode, Jacqueline Soller and Charles Hinshaw discuss the film ‘My Octopus Teacher,’ which recently won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Plus a live performance from Juliet Quick, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.

Episode Credits:

Producer/Host: J. McVay

Contributors on Movies: Jacqueline Soller, Charles Hinshaw

Composer/Editor: Hansdale Hsu

[youtube]https://youtu.be/G4r68Hfbzww[/youtube]

00:00 - Intro

01:12 - START /// Meet Emily Smith… earliest musical memory

03:44 - Getting involved in music

06:00 - Stagefright vs. on air / 1st concert

09:25 - Path to BTR

12:50 - Industry changes over the years / grassroots music support

20:10 - Pandemic / recent + upcoming podcast highlights /// END

22:40 - Movie Review: Jacqueline Soller on ‘My Octopus Teacher’

24:20 - Movie Chat: Jacqueline Soller + Charles Hinshaw [SPOILER ALERT]

54:35 - “Circles" (BTR Live Studio, 2021) - Juliet Quick

60:40 - Outro/credits

61:25 - Finish.

"