The '00s Zone

In Part 2 of our discussion with Ryan Jackson (Mutual Aberration Society), we revisit Ang Lee's CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. We also discuss Chinese cinema, Woke Capitalism, when "representation" is just empty optics, Hamilton, and what's wrong with American action movies today. In other words, everything that concerns you and your family!

Ryan Jackson (Mutual Aberration Society) joins Mark and Loretta for a discussion on Black and Asian relations in pop culture. In the first segment of our two-part most political episode yet, we look at the Aaliyah and Jet Li action film Romeo Must Die, and its placement in 2000's America. Then things really heat up. 

We're joined by Sarah Riley to discuss 2000's FINAL DESTINATION and UNBREAKABLE, two movies that tapped into the potentials and paranoias of the new millennium. 

We're joined by musician Rich Aucoin to discuss the summer 2000 blockbusters Gladiator and X-Men. One was a popular hit belonging to no pre-existing franchise. The other marked the humble beginning of 21st century comic book movies. Plus, Loretta does a Milhouse impression. 

WAR TEENS! Serena Whitney (curator of the Drunken Cinema series and programmer of the Revue Cinema in Toronto) joins us for this lively episode. First we preamble about the lazy sexual politics in COMING 2 AMERICA and WONDER WOMAN 1984. Then we take a fresh look at 2000's very different adolescent combat movies, BRING IT ON and BATTLE ROYALE. 

In this fantastic episode, Loretta and Mark are joined by actor and media strategist Sarah Riley to discuss the Oscars' recent push for diversity. Are the Academy Awards only worried about their own image? Then we dive into Promising Young Woman, the most '00s-obsessed of this year's Best Picture nominees. 

Writer and director Jennifer Liao (A Sugar & Spice Holiday, Two Sentence Horror Stories) joins Mark and Loretta to discuss the very 2000 Hollywood female empowerment of Coyote Ugly and Erin Brockovich.