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Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss one of the most iconic films ever made, Citizen Kane. We discuss Orson Welles’ career, the quality of the film itself, and the impact its had on the movie industry.

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Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to discuss the classic novel The Secret Garden. Written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden tells the story of an orphaned girl finding healing and friendship when she tends to a secret garden that had been locked up and left to grow wild.

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Returning guest Kate Reid joins Joe to discuss Claire Dunphy from Modern Family. We look at episodes from the first and last seasons to see how the show evolves across all its seasons. We focus on Claire as a centerpiece of the extended family, but we also touch on the other core characters.

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First-time guest LeUyen Pham and returning guest Gene Luen Yang join Joe to discuss their graphic novel Lunar New Year Love Story. This graphic novel tells the story of Valentina, a teenage girl who is navigating relationships while also fearing that her family is cursed and all romantic relationships will end in tragedy.

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Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss how evolving technologies change the stories that are produced and consumed in a culture. We use film as an easily understood example of this effect, but touch on how our means of producing and accessing all types of media transform what stories we tell.

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It’s our annual Groundhog Day rewatch. Join Nicole Freim, Chris “Mav” Maverick, Producer Andrew and Joe as we discuss our latest viewing of one of the best films ever made.

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Returning guests Nicole Freim and Chris “Mav” Maverick join Joe to discuss the John Hughes’ film The Breakfast Club. Starring several members of the Brat Pack of up-and-coming actors and actresses, this film signaled a change in how teenagers are portrayed in meida. We discuss the pros and cons associated with the film forty years later.

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Producer Andrew joins Joe to talk about “To Build a Fire” by Jack London. The classic short story about a man foolishly making a trek into the Yukon territory after being warned not to lets us explore ideas like man’s hubris, an uncaring natural world, and why so many short stories can be a bit of a downer.

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Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the iconic tv series Columbo. We discuss the odd and long production history of the show, how Peter Falk embodies the character, and the unique twist the franchise has on the mystery genre.

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It’s our annual Fantasy Box Office game! As a look ahead at the films coming out in 2025, Producer Andrew and Joe are drafting teams of movies that will be released this year. They will each get the films’ domestic box offices multiplied by their Rotten Tomatoes score, so they want to pick big hits that are well-reviewed. It also gives a chance to discuss the upcoming film slate and highlight films we are looking forward to.