Overinvested

Claire and Gavia discuss the sweatiest film phenomenon of 2024: Luca Guadagnino's tennis drama Challengers, starring Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor as three athletes embroiled in a love triangle. Among other topics, we cover the star power of the lead actors, the film's already-iconic music, and Guadagnino's distinctive way of depicting sexuality and relationships.

Gavia and Steffan review the Australian dramedy series Upright, starring comedian/songwriter Tim Minchin as a down-on-his luck musician who tries to drive across Australia with a piano, befriending a teenage runaway (Milly Alcock) along the way.

Claire and Gavia review the much-hyped queer thriller Love Lies Bleeding, starring Kristen Stewart and Katy O'Brien. Plus, a multi-genre selection of highlights from this year's Glasgow Film Festival, including indie hits La Chimera and The Beast, and some excellent upcoming horror movies.

Claire and Gavia dig into the blockbuster event of the year, discussing Dune: Part Two's astonishing production design and incredible all-star cast, along with thornier topics like Dune's messy political worldbuilding and director Denis Villeneuve's adaptational changes to the original novel.

Claire and Gavia discuss Steven Spielberg's acclaimed 2021 adaptation of West Side Story, a musical about two young lovers caught in a turf war between rival gangs. Among other topics we delve into Spielberg's unique technical expertise, West Side Story's complicated political legacy, the lost art of movie-musical filmmaking... and Claire's passionate love for Mike[...]

Gavia and Steffan review Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things, a bold sci-fi comedy starring Emma Stone as a woman created through a Frankenstein-like experiment. Nominated for eleven Oscars, Poor Things is critically acclaimed but divisive - particularly regarding its depiction of female sexuality.

Claire Biddles and Gavia Baker-Whitelaw reveal their top 10 lists for the best movies of 2023, running the gamut from indie hits like Return to Seoul and May December, to blockbusters like Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - along with some true hidden gems!

Gavia and Steffan review the 2023 Doctor Who specials, discussing the return of David Tennant, Catherine Tate and showrunner Russell T. Davies, the arrival of Ncuti Gatwa as the wildly charismatic new Doctor, and various behind-the-scenes details involving the show's quasi-reboot status and new partnership with Disney.

Claire and Gav review the beloved 1992 figure skating romcom The Cutting Edge, directed by Paul Michael Glaser (The Running Man) and written by Tony Gilroy (Andor, The Bourne Identity). Harking back to the spiky banter of the 1930s screwball era, sparks fly when a spoiled figure skater and a macho hockey player form an[...]

Gavia and Steffan review the new Hunger Games prequel movie, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Among other topics, they delve into its unexpected narrative structure, its political worldbuilding, its relationship to the other Hunger Games movies, and the complicated task of creating a successful prequel.

Claire and Gavia discuss Ira Sachs’ acclaimed new romantic drama Passages, starring Franz Rogowski and Ben Whishaw as a married couple who become embroiled in a love triangle with a young woman (Adele Exarchopoulos). We delve into the film's attitude to queer identity, its best-of-the-year costume design, and its thoughtfully choreographed sex scenes.

Gavia and Steffan delve into the iconic 1973 horror movie The Exorcist, discussing its chaotic creative process with director William Friedkin, its lasting impact on the horror genre, and its fantastic craftsmanship as an example of gritty New Hollywood cinema.

Claire and Gavia celebrate the magnificent Pre-Code classic Shanghai Express (1932), starring Marlene Dietrich and featuring Anna May Wong in her most iconic role. Directed by Josef von Sternberg, this atmospheric drama follows a group of international train passengers who are taken hostage during the Chinese Civil War.

Claire and Gavia delve into Oppenheimer, discussing the film's relationship with "great man" biopics, its divisive political narrative, its epic ensemble cast, and Christopher Nolan's underappreciated levels of corniness.

Morgan and Gavia discuss some of their favorite new books from the past calendar year, from Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, to hidden gems like All the Horses of Iceland by Sarah Tolmie (a historical fantasy novella) and The Disenchantment by Celia Bell(a tale of royal court intrigue in 17th century Paris.)

Gavia and Steffan review the latest (and possibly greatest) Mission Impossible movie, covering the franchise's unique place in Hollywood cinema, Tom Cruise's complicated star power, Hayley Atwell's incredible charisma, and how the film draws inspiration from vintage slapstick comedy.

Gavia is joined by guest-host Claire Biddles to discuss Michael Haneke’s 2001 erotic psychodrama The Piano Teacher, starring Isabelle as a Viennese piano teacher who embarks on a toxic sadomasochistic affair with one of her students. We delved into Huppert’s performance and career, the film’s costuming and music choices, the depiction of poorly-negotiated kink, and[...]

Gavia is joined by guest-host Steffan Alun to discuss Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, an innovative animated feature that puts most live-action superhero films to shame. Among other topics, we covered the film's visual artistry, its self-aware take on the concept of canon, its flawed political storytelling, and its relationship to other Marvel adaptations.

Gavia is joined by guest-host Claire Biddles to discuss Luca Guadagnino’s beautiful romantic horror movie Bones and All (2022), about a pair of young cannibal drifters played by Taylor Russell and Timothee Chalamet. Among other topics, we covered the film's brilliant casting choices, its well-observed depiction of rural 1980s America, and Guadagnino's use of quasi-vampiric[...]

This week, Gavia is joined by guest-host Steffan Alun to discuss Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park, an icon of blockbuster cinema. Among other topics, we covered the film's immaculate casting choices, its masterful special effects, Spielberg's skill for combining horror with heartwarming family drama, and Jurassic Park's place in the history of dinosaur cinema (including its[...]

This week, Gavia is joined by guest-host Claire Biddles to discuss Stanley Kubrick’s acclaimed erotic psychodrama Eyes Wide Shut (1999), starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as Bill and Alice Hartford, a married couple in 1990s New York. After Alice reveals that she fantasized about having an affair, Bill embarks on a night of sexual[...]

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This week, we discuss the influential 1966 Senegalese film "Black Girl," written and directed by Ousmane Sembene. The film follows a Senegalese young woman who works as a nanny for a white French family whose life turns into a nightmare when she accompanies them back to France and is forced to work as a maid.[...]

This week, we turn our attention to the original movie adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's classic WWI novel, "All Quiet on the Western Front," directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Lew Ayres in his first major role. We compare Milestone's groundbreaking, early-sound era (1930)film to the remake currently nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars,[...]

It's been a a few months since Todd Field's massively acclaimed film "TÁR" was released in America, but between its Oscar nominations — for Field, Cate Blanchett, Best Picture, and more — all the Lydia Tár memes, and the debates its ending continues to inspire, we figured there was no better time to discuss it[...]

Just as January comes to a close, Team Overinvested brings you our Best Films of 2022. Though we're posting this episode a little later than usual, we're as excited as ever to share our favorite films of last year, and hopefully introduce you all to some titles you haven't heard of or gotten a chance[...]

We return to you after an unplanned break due to illness with a delayed episode on "Häxan," Benjamin Christiansen's groundbreaking 1922 docu-drama about the history of the persecution of witches (or "witches") — which also conveniently allowed him to depict sexually transgressive behavior that meant the film couldn't be shown in the United States for[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia revisit legal thriller "Michael Clayton," the 2007 Best Picture nominee written and directed by Tony Gilroy and starring George Clooney and Oscar-winner Tilda Swinton. They discuss the film's sharp characterization, its insightful commentary on corporate malfeasance, a career-best performance from George Clooney, and how the themes Gilroy explores here connect[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan sing the praises of "Andor," the new Star Wars television show masterminded by Tony Gilroy and starring Diego Luna as future rebel martyr Cassian Andor. Topics include the show's stark tonal and stylistic divergence from other Star Wars shows on Disney+, its complex ideas about empire and rebellion, a superlative[...]

Gavia and Morgan return from a covid-induced hiatus with a dispatch from this year's New York and London film festivals. Gavia reports on some buzzy titles including "Decision to Leave" and "Triangle of Sadness," and Morgan gives a rave to her one festival movie of the year, France's Oscar submission "Saint Omer."

This week, Gavia and Morgan have fun trying to figure out what the deal is, exactly, with Guy Ritchie's 2017 "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword," a would-be franchise starter that never got off the ground. Does Charlie Hunnum have what it takes to be a leading man? Has Jude Law ever turned in a[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan break down Amazon's new "Lord of the Rings" adaptation, the TV show "The Rings of Power," which takes place thousands of years before Tolkien's novels. They analyze the show's relationship to Peter Jackson's films, discuss whether the show's efforts to diversify succeed, break out some deep Tolkien lore, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan finally get to talk about Jordan Peele's third film, the UFO spectacular "Nope." The film stars Daniel Kaluuya and Kiki Palmer as siblings who own a horse ranch... and discover there's a strange object lurking above their valley. Topics include Peele's increasingly ambitious career, this film's complex themes, dazzling performances[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan revisit a modern classic, "Magic Mike XXL," starring Channing Tatum as the titular Mike, Joe Manganiello and Matt Bomer as his stripper pals, Jada Pinkett Smith as an old flame, and more. Topics discussed include the film's radically chill depiction of masculinity, Tatum's charismatic performance and career, and the forthcoming[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan celebrate the late James Caan by watching "Thief" (1981), Michael Mann's debut film, which features Caan's favorite of his own performances. In the film, he plays a skilled but small-time safecracker who gets involved with organized crime. Topics discussed this episode include Caan's life and career, Mann's influential style, this[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss "Persuasion" — no, not the recent Netflix adaptation, but ITV's 2007 version, starring Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliot and Rupert Penry-Jones as her estranged lover Wentworth. Topics include the film's relationship to Jane Austen's novel, its interpretation of Regency-era dress and hair, Sally Hawkins' tremendous performance, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan talk about the eighties cult classic "Road House," starring Patrick Swayze as the greatest bouncer in the world, who travels to a small Missouri town to whip a dive bar into shape. Topics discussed include the film's relationship to classic Hollywood westerns, Swayze's magnetic star presence, the film's boundless homoeroticism,[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the classic musical "The Court Jester," starring Danny Kaye as a hapless circus performer forced to go undercover as a court jester as part of an elaborate seditious scheme. The film also stars a young Angela Lansbury, Basil Rathbone, and Glynis Johns. Topics include the film's connection to other[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the summer's biggest blockbuster: Tom Cruise's long-anticipated reprisal of his iconic role as Maverick in "Top Gun: Maverick." They break down how the sequel compares to the original, analyze how the practical stunts and effects contribute to the action, and salute the heroics of Cruise, certifiable maniac and Hollywood[...]

Gavia and Morgan return after a brief break with an episode on French horror classic "Diabolique," directed by H.G. Clouzot and starring Véra Clouzot and Simone Signoret as women who collaborate to murder their abuser. Topics discussed include the film's pioneering use of horror and thriller tropes and techniques, how its classical style compares to[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the delightful Pre-Code romantic comedy "Design for Living," directed by Ernst Lubitsch and starring Miriam Hopkins, Fredric March, and the incomparable Gary Cooper in a hopeless love triangle. Topics include the film's startling candid approach to sex, the contrasting star personas of its actors, and director Lubitsch's famous je-ne-sais-quoi.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Cheryl Dunye's nineties lesbian classic "The Watermelon Woman." A fictional film that incorporates elements of documentary, it stars Dunye as a character named Cheryl who, like the real Dunye, embarks on a project investigating Black women in Old Hollywood films. Topics include the movie's engagement with Old Hollywood, its[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan finally review "The Batman," the latest film to reinvent the Dark Knight. Directed by Matt Reeves, the film stars Robert Pattinson as an isolated, emo Bruce Wayne, Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman, and a full cast of character actors in the ensemble. Topics include Pattinson's performance, what this film brings to[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan debate the virtues of Robert Eggers' latest historical reconstruction, "The Northman," which stars Alexander Skarsgård as Amleth, a prince who becomes obsessed with revenge after witnessing his uncle (Claes Bang) murder his father (Ethan Hawke). The film also features Nicole Kidman as his mother and Anya Taylor-Joy as a young[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into the internet television sensation-du-jour, "Our Flag Means Death." This pirate comedy stars Rhys Darby as the "Gentleman Pirate" Stede Bonnet, a somewhat hapless newcomer to the scene who's living out his midlife crisis through piracy, and Taika Waititi as Blackbeard, the fearsome rogue who's tired of all that[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the classic Star Trek film "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," a.k.a., The One With the Whales. After rescuing Spock in the previous film, the crew is now faced with the task of saving the world — which they can only do with the help of humpback whales, which[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan tackle a horror classic: "Rosemary's Baby," which stars Mia Farrow as a dutiful wife unwittingly carrying the devil's child and John Cassavetes as her self-absorbed husband. Topics discussed in this episode include the film's long influence, its depiction of gaslighting by husbands and doctors, how to talk about a feminist[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into "Deep Water," the long-awaited new film from Adrian Lyne, the master of the erotic thriller. The film stars Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas as an unhappily married couple whose chief occupations include breeding snails and having affairs, respectively. Topics under discussion in this episode include the film's[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the French romantic comedy "Populaire," set in the 1950s in the world of competitive speed typing. Topics include the film's relationship to 1950s Hollywood rom-coms, the charms of its stars Romain Duris and Déborah François, and the real-life history of speed typing competitions.

In this week's episode, Gavia and Morgan pronounce "Fresh," the new cannibalism romance starring Sebastian Stan and Daisy Edgar-Jones, dead on arrival. Topics discussed include the director's lack of familiarity with the horror genre, the film's clueless approach to feminism, an incredibly racist Black best friend character, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan celebrate the centennial of F.W. Murnau's masterful adaptation of "Dracula," the 1922 film "Nosferatu." They discuss the collaborative nature of he project, its influence on later vampire films, its transgressive treatment of sex, and more. They also discuss the 2000 film "Shadow of the Vampire," a pulpy reinterpretation of history[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan venture into new territory with the 2013 Michael Bay film "Pain and Gain," a crime film based on the true story of a misbegotten kidnapping and extortion carried out by a collection of inept criminals played here by Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Anthony Mackie. Topics include the[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the Korean film "Burning," directed by Lee Chang-dong and starring Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, and Jeon Jong-seo. Despite this film's near-universal acclaim, they... didn't like it very much! Topics include the film's uncomfortable depiction of its central female character, its take on class in South Korea, excellent performances from[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Andrew Dominik's beloved cult western "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," starring Brad Pitt as legendary outlaw James and Casey Affleck as the awkward fan who ultimately kills him. Topics include the film's depiction of the American west, its treatment of celebrity and masculinity, career-best[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia celebrate the life and work of the late Sidney Poitier by diving into his greatest film, Norman Jewison's Academy Award-winning "In the Heat of the Night." Poitier stars as a Black, northern detective who is waylaid in a small southern town by a homicide investigation in which he becomes entangled;[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the late Peter Bogdanovich's classic homage to old Hollywood screwball, "What's Up, Doc?," starring Ryan O'Neal as a hapless musicologist and Barbra Streisand as the agent of chaos with whom he reluctantly falls in love. Topics include Bogdanovich's life and career, the film's direct relationship to 1930s and 1940s[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia revisit childhood favorite "The Secret Garden" (1993), directed by Agnieszka Holland and adapted from the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Topics include the film's refreshingly dark take on its gothic source text, its treatment of Victorian class and imperial politics, Richard Deakins' lustrous cinematography, and much more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia return to their favorite annual podcast tradition: sharing lists of their top ten films of the year. Selections run the gamut from the big budget — "The Matrix Resurrections" — to the ultra small — Mexico's "Prayers for the Stolen" — and everything in-between.

This week, Gavia and Morgan return to the Matrix with "The Matrix Resurrections," Lana Wachowski's long-awaited sequel to the original trilogy. Original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss return along with new faces including Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jonathan Groff, and Neil Patrick Harris. Topics include the film's self-aware skewering of franchise cinema, its visual departures[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan watch one of 2020's most poorly received films, John Patrick Shanley's adaptation of his own play "Wild Mountain Thyme." Starring Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan as lifelong neighbors who haven't ever been able to confess their true feelings for each other, the movie is a mystifyingly bad stab at romantic[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan celebrate Christmas by revisiting the first installment of the new "Star Wars" trilogy: "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." Directed by JJ Abrams and starring Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, and John Boyega, the film kicked off a new era for "Star Wars" and Disney. Topics include the film's masterful melding of[...]

We'll have our next episode, on "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," up by the end of the week, but in the meantime here's a rerun from the archives to tide you over: our episode on Lorene Scafaria's "Hustlers," low-key an iconic Christmas movie. You can also listen to our recent Patreon-only episode on "Princess Mononoke"[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan watch the offbeat fantasy k-drama "The School Nurse Files," based on Chung Serang's award-winning novel. Starring Jung Yu-mi as a high school nurse who has the power to see auras and "jellies" that manifest people's feelings, the show feels like a teen dramedy and a zany fantasy show rolled into[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Andrea Arnold's experimental adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel "Wuthering Heights." Topics include the book's long screen history, Arnold's bold cinematic approach, the effect of casting Black actors to play Heathcliff, and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan revisit one of their favorite films of the past decade, David Fincher's adaptation of Gillian Flynn's bestselling novel "Gone Girl." Topics include iconic performances from Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, the film's (and novel's)slippery and provocative approach to feminist questions, its place in Fincher's filmography, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan finally bring you their much-delayed opinions on Andrew Haigh's ultra-bleak but mesmerizing miniseries "The North Water," starring Jack O'Connell and Colin Farrell as shipmates on a doomed Arctic whaling expedition. Topics include the show's sharp depiction of masculinity and sexuality in Victorian England, its uncompromising approach to violence, stellar performances[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan revisit Frank Herbert's sci-fi classic "Dune," newly interpreted by director Denis Villeneuve and starring Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, and more. Topics include the Villeneuve's passion for the source material, his masterful direction, Chalamet's winning performance as Paul Atreides, the film and novel's troublesome relationship to the Middle East,[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan report back from the London and New York Film Festivals, running down an exciting list of buzzy fall titles that includes Jane Campion's "The Power of the Dog," starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst; Palme d'Or winner "Titane"; the sequel to Joanna Hogg's autobiographical film "The Souvenir"; a new film[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Ridley Scott's new historical drama "The Last Duel," which stars Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, and Ben Affleck. Topics include the film's tripartite structure, its thoughtful handling of the rape that drives its plot, Affleck's unexpectedly dazzling comedic performance, and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan finally dig into one of the year's most-discussed films, David Lowery's "The Green Knight." Topics include the film's relationship to the original poem, "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"; its depiction of medieval life; performances by Dev Patel and Alicia Vikander; and more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia revisit Nicolas Winding Refn's instant-classic "Drive" (2011), starring Ryan Gosling as a getaway driver and Carey Mulligan as the neighbor with whom he becomes infatuated. Topics include the film's electric direction and iconic soundtrack, its dubious casting process, its provocative treatment of violence, and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss John Crowley's 2003 debut film "Intermission," an early-aughts blast from the past starring Colin Farrell, Cillian Murphy, Kelly Macdonald, and many more as a group of interconnected characters in Dublin. Topics include the film's relationship with other multi-plot films from the nineties and aughts, its cringey throwback misogyny, Crowley[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia dive into Todd Haynes' 2002 masterpiece "Far From Heaven," starring Julianne Moore as a 1950s housewife, Dennis Quaid as her closeted husband, and Dennis Haysbert as the gardener with whom she falls in love. They discuss the film's relationship to Douglas Sirk's 1950s women's pictures, its recreation and subversion of[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Baz Luhrmann's directorial debut, the beloved Australian classic "Strictly Ballroom" (1992), starring Paul Mercurio as a would-be champion ballroom dancer and Tara Morice as his unlikely partner. Topics include the development of Luhrmann's distinct aesthetic, the film's successful deployment of tropes and queer subtext, and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Mike White's buzzy summer hit "The White Lotus," starring Jennifer Coolidge, Murray Bartlett, Steve Zahn, and many more as the guests and staff at a luxury resort in Hawaii. Topics include the show's rushed production due to COVID, its treatment of class and colonialism, its extraordinary cast, and much[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan delve into "Jaws" (1975), Steven Spielberg's breakthrough film and arguably the first American blockbuster. Topics include the film's enduring political resonance; its clever deployment of suspense (and that shark animatronic); performances by Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw; and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss "Ganja & Hess," Bill Gunn's classic experimental horror film, starring Duane Jones and Marlene Clark. Topics include the film's beleaguered initial release, its engagement with blaxploitation and vampire tropes, its unconventional narrative and visual style, and more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia take a seasonal break to discuss the 2017 Christmas hit "A Bad Moms Christmas," starring Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn as the titular trio of bad moms who have to contend with their own bad moms, played by Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines, and Susan Sarandon, showing up for[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss newly crowned Palme d'Or winner Julia Ducournau's previous feature, "Raw" (2016), a deliciously gruesome horror film about a young veterinary student who discovers the allure of cannibalism. Topics include the film's genuinely shocking moments of violence, its treatment of teenage female sexuality, excellent performances by stars Garance Marillier and[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan break down Marvel's disappointing "Loki" show, starring Tom Hiddleston as the titular god of mischief. They discuss the show's failure to escape now-familiar MCU problems, critique its handling of its beloved central character, ponder the state of Tom Hiddleston's career, and more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss "No Sudden Move," Steven Soderbergh's new neo-noir film now streaming on HBO Max, featuring a dazzling cast that includes Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, Amy Seimetz, Jon Hamm, Ray Liotta, and many many more. They consider the film in the context of classic noirs as well as Soderbergh's filmography,[...]

In this week's episode, Gavia and Morgan find themselves unexpectedly at odds over classic movie musical "The Music Man" (1962), starring Robert Preston as small-time conman Harold Hill and Shirley Jones as the librarian who falls for him in spite of herself. Is this movie justifiably beloved or an interminable purgatory? You be the judge.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss millennial children's classic "The NeverEnding Story," Wolfgang Petersen's adaptation of Michael Ende's bestselling novel. They delve into the making of the film, critique its wobbly plot structure, compare it to other beloved fantasy films of the 1980s, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss "The Empty Man," an under-seen horror gem from 2020 rapidly approaching cult status. Directed by David Prior and starring James Badge Dale and Marin Ireland, this film follows an ex-cop whose investigation into a missing teenager leads him deeper and deeper into a mysterious cult. Topics include the film's[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the classic anime film "Akira" (1988), directed by Katsuhiro Otomo. Topics include the film's storied production history and rich worldbuilding, its influence and legacy, and its allegorical treatment of nuclear war.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss acclaimed German film "System Crasher," starring Helena Zengel as a traumatized girl living in a series of residential homes for troubled children. Topics include the film's sensitive handling of its young protagonist and the system attempting to help her, director Nora Fingscheidt’s approach to working with a child actor,[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Rose Glass' critically acclaimed debut feature, the indie horror flick "Saint Maud," starring Morfydd Clark as an intensely religious hospice nurse and Jennifer Ehle as her terminally ill patient. Topics include the film's sensational technical accomplishments, superb performances from Clark and Ehle, the film's engagement (or lack thereof) with[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Preston Sturges' gloriously cynical screwball classic "The Lady Eve," starring Barbara Stanwyck as a con artist and Henry Fonda as her gullible mark. Topics include Sturges' unique approach to romantic comedy, this film's place within the genre of films about competent women romancing dolts, Barbara Stanwyck's dazzling career, and[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the first installment in Alan Pakula's paranoia trilogy, the 1971 film "Klute," starring Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland. Topics include Fonda's career and star persona, the film's relationship to both the paranoia thriller genre and to second wave feminism, its depiction of sex work, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the beloved 2011 alien invasion movie "Attack the Block," written and directed by Joe Cornish and starring John Boyega and Jodie Whittaker. Topics include the film's superb screenplay and slick direction, its smart fusion of genre and social commentary, Boyega's breakout performance and star persona, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan investigate what went wrong with David Lynch's adaptation of Frank Herbert's mammoth fantasy novel "Dune." They discuss the film's tormented production history, the peculiar and not tremendously good film that resulted, Lynch's disavowal of the finished product, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan take a critical look at Oscar darling "Promising Young Woman," the debut film from Emerald Fennell that stars Carey Mulligan and Bo Burnham. Topics include the film's dubious approach to rape revenge narratives, its generally lackluster screenplay, its hollow aesthetic, and more. (TW for discussions of rape and sexual violence)

This week, Gavia and Morgan revisit one of their favorite films, Tomas Alfredson's 2011 adaptation of John le Carré's classic novel, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy." Topics include the masterful adaptation of the book by screenwriters Peter Straughan and Bridget O'Connor; superb performances from a cast including Gary Oldman, Mark Strong, and Colin Firth; stupendous production[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into Wong Kar-wai's masterpiece "In the Mood for Love," starring Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung as star-crossed lovers in 1960s Hong Kong whose spouses are having an affair. Topics include the film's rich visual language, its influence on current cinema, stunning performances from Leung and Cheung, and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the 2019 anime film "Promare," from Studio Trigger. Topics include the film's queer subtext, its electrifying visuals, the many unexpected twists of its screenplay, and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into the nineties classic "Men in Black," directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as special agents tasked with supervising Earth's alien population. They discuss the film's political subtext, the star personas and winning performances of its lead actors, Sonnenfeld's visual panache as a[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan break down "WandaVision," the MCU's first show on Disney+, starring Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany. They consider its place in the wider Marvel universe, critique its lack of depth, and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss John Cassavetes' 1977 film "Opening Night," starring Gena Rowlands as an alcoholic actress struggling with a lead role in a Broadway play. Topics include Cassavetes' fascinating career, his collaboration with Rowlands, the film's treatment of the theater, and much more.

While we wait to discuss Wandavision next week, please enjoy this rerun episode from a couple years back about one of our favorite films, Todd Haynes' "Velvet Goldmine." Topics include our history with the film; its relationship to David Bowie, "Citizen Kane," and Oscar Wilde; career-defining performances from Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Ewan McGregor, and Christian Bale;[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Warwick Thornton's film "Sweet Country," an Australian neo-Western examining colonialism and starring actors including Hamilton Morris, Sam Neill, and Bryan Brown. Topics include the film's engagement with the Western genre, its unflinching and intelligent depiction of racism, the role of women in the film, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Craig Roberts' indie dramedy "Eternal Beauty," starring Sally Hawkins as a woman with paranoid schizophrenia. Topics include the film's stylistic influences, its frustrating treatment of mental illness, performances by Hawkins, Billie Piper, and David Thewlis, and much more.

For their 200th (!) episode, Gavia and Morgan take a trip to James Cameron's celebrated epic "Titanic." They discuss the trope-laden but irresistible romance between Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron's dictatorial directing style, the phenomenon surrounding the film and its stars after its release, and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the 1993 animated film "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm," an extension of "Batman: The Animated Series." Topics include the film's relationship to the TV series, its homages to classic American and German cinema, its approach to the familiar cast of Batman characters, and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Sidney Poitier's highest-grossing film, "A Patch of Blue" (1965), in which Poitier stars as a man who befriends a young, blind white woman played by Elizabeth Hartman. They discuss Poitier's storied career, the film's complex treatment of race and disability, Hollywood in the 1960s, and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan revisit Kenneth Branagh's classic 1993 adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing," starring a glitzy ensemble of actors including Branagh himself, Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, and many more. Topics include Branagh and Thompson's peculiar careers, Shakespeare on film, the influence of Shakespeare's comedies, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan share their picks for the top 10 films of 2020, highlighting a range of films that have sadly not gotten their due this year as a result of the pandemic shutting down theaters. They discuss their choices, which include indie features in a range of genres, documentaries, foreign language films,[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan finally watch Christopher Nolan's much-delayed blockbuster "Tenet," starring John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, and Kenneth Branagh. They, alas, bemoan its incoherent plotting, lousy treatment of women, muddy sound design, and more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia revisit the beloved romantic comedy "The Philadelphia Story," starring Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart. They place the film in the context of other romantic comedies from the 1930s and 1940s, consider the stars' public personas in conjunction with their roles in this film, discuss the movie's treatment of[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Kenneth Lonergan's undersung epic "Margaret" (2011), starring an expansive cast including Anna Paquin, J. Smith Cameron, Mark Ruffalo, and Matt Damon. Topics include the film's fraught post-production history, its stellar ensemble cast, Lonergan's mastery of character and dialogue, and much more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia dissect David Fincher's new film "Mank," a biopic of Herman Mankiewicz, the screenwriter of "Citizen Kane." They critique the film's approach to pastiching 1940s movies, question the decision to cast Gary Oldman in the lead role, dive into the film's discrepancies with the life of the real Mankiewicz, and much[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan conclude their deep-dive into Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy with an episode on "The Return of the King," the triumphant final film of the series. They discuss the film's lasting legacy in Hollywood; its successes (and weaknesses) as an adaptation; all those endings; fine performances from Billy[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the trippy world of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead's 2017 microbudget horror flick "The Endless." They praise the film's innovative use of visual effects technology and tight storytelling technique, compare it to other indie horror films, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan delve into the world of Ronald D. Moore's "Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries" (2003), a childhood favorite of Gav's that Morgan is watching for the first time. They discuss the changes in television storytelling over the last twenty years, the way the show enacts and flouts sci-fi conventions, the superb female[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into the second installment of Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "The Two Towers." They discuss the film's departures from the novel, the difficulties of adapting the source text, Howard Shore's score, Andy Serkis' mesmerizing performance as Gollum, and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan dig into Ben Wheatley's woefully misguided remake of "Rebecca," the 1940 classic by Alfred Hitchcock. They compare the new movie, starring Armie Hammer and Lily James, to the original as well as Daphne du Maurier's beloved novel; bemoan its misunderstanding of the source material; critique its mystifyingly incompetent script; and[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan report back from the London and New York Film Festivals, where they (remotely) watched a host of exciting new films, including installments from Steve McQueen's "Small Axe" anthology, starring Letitia Wright and John Boyega among many others; Chloé Zhao's buzzy new film "Nomadland," starring Frances McDormand; German auteur Christian Petzold's[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Emilio Estevez's 2019 drama "The Public," which stars Estevez as a sympathetic librarian, Michael K. Williams as a homeless man who instigates an overnight occupation of the library on one of the coldest nights of the year, Alec Baldwin as a police negotiator, and many more. Topics include the[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Jane Campion's 2009 masterpiece "Bright Star," a biopic of the Romantic poet John Keats. Topics include brilliant performances from Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish, and Paul Schneider; Campion's feminist approach to the biopic genre; Keats' biography; and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the 2003 film adaptation of Louis Sachar's beloved children's classic "Holes," starring Shia LaBeouf, Sigourney Weaver, Tim Blake Nelson, and many others. They discuss the novel's cultural impact, Shia LaBeouf's storied life and career, the film's political dimensions, and much more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia dive into the first installment of Peter Jackson's epic "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "The Fellowship of the Ring." They discuss Tolkien's how background and intellectual interests informed his novels, the translation of those novels onto the screen, exceptional performances from actors in this movie including Ian McKellen and Viggo[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Charlie Kaufman's trippy new film "I'm Thinking of Ending Things," starring Jessie Buckley as a young woman considering breaking up with her boyfriend, played by Jesse Plemons. Topics include Kaufman's history of experimental, self-referential screenplays; excellent performances by Buckley and Plemons; and the film's core ideas about heterosexual relationships[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the pyrotechnic 1988 live action-animation hybrid "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," directed by Robert Zemeckis. They praise the film's technical accomplishments and its use of cartoon and noir tropes, discuss its place in the Disney canon and its effect on the Disney Renaissance of the 1990s, and much more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the 1990 film "Quigley Down Under," starring Tom Selleck as a sharpshooter who travels to Australia in the 1860s for work. Topics include the film's troubling depiction of Aboriginal people, white savior narratives, Tom Selleck's career and on-screen charisma, Alan Rickman's performance as the film's villain, and more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the most critically acclaimed show of 2020, Michaela Coel's "I May Destroy You." Coel co-directs, writes, and stars in this rumination on trauma and consent. Topics include the show's masterful command of tone, its digressive storytelling technique and radical approach to telling a story about rape, racism in the[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the critically acclaimed film "37 Seconds," directed by Hikari and starring Mei Kayama as Yuma, a young woman and manga artist with cerebral palsy. Topics include the film's treatment of disability and Hikari's troublesome statements on this topic, Kayama's strong performance, other depictions of physical disability on film, and[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan debate the merits of Roland Emmerich’s 1994 hit “Stargate,” starring James Spader and Kurt Russell. They discuss the film’s throwback entertainments, its questionable colonial politics, and the many TV properties and fandoms its spawned in the decades since.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Elem Klimov's 1985 masterpiece of Soviet cinema "Come and See," which follows a young boy (Alexei Kravchenko) through the horrors of Nazi-occupied Belarus in the Second World War. Topics include this film's treatment of war crimes, Hollywood's often romantic depiction of Nazis, the film's masterful cinematography and sound editing,[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan watch the 1970s disaster movie classic "The Towering Inferno," starring an impressive cast including Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, and Faye Dunaway. They discuss the film's striking action sequences, its wild Seventies aesthetic, its starry cast, and more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the 1986 film "'night, Mother," adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name. Sissy Spacek stars as a suicidal woman living with her mother, played by Anne Bancroft. Topics include the film's treatment of suicide and mental health, the difficulty of translating stage plays to film, and[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia dive into Peter Weir's 1985 classic neo-noir "Witness," starring Lukas Haas as a young Amish boy who witnesses a murder, Kelly McGillis as his mother, and Harrison Ford as a detective trying to solve the crime. They discuss the film's journey from script to screen, its depiction of the police,[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss "The Handmaiden," Park Chan-wook's beloved lesbian thriller starring Kim Min-hee and Kim Tae-ri, based on Sarah Waters' novel "Fingersmith." They discuss the film's relationship to its source material, its smart balance of tones, its depiction of sex, and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan debate the strengths and weaknesses of Spike Lee's new film "Da 5 Bloods," available on Netflix now, which chronicles the journey of a group of Black Vietnam veterans returning to Vietnam to search for a fallen comrade. Topics discussed include the film's impressive performances by Delroy Lindo and others, its[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan watch sci-fi classic "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," starring the original cast of "Star Trek" as well as Ricardo Montalbán as superhuman villain Khan. They place the film in the larger context of the franchise's TV and film history, praise its streamlined screenplay, and much more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan watched one of the highest-grossing Nigerian films of all time, the romantic comedy "The Wedding Party" (2016). They discuss the Nollywood film industry, the film's approach to gender and class, what top-grossing films say about their countries of origin, and much more. This episode is sponsored by a generous Patreon[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Elaine May's grimy gangster classic "Mikey and Nicky" (1976), starring John Cassavetes and Peter Falk. They dive into May's legendary career as a comedian and director, assess the film in comparison to other gangster movies, and sing the praises of the lead actors.

Morgan and Gavia return from their coronavirus-induced hiatus with an episode on the beloved romantic comedy "Moonstruck" (1987), starring Cher and Nicolas Cage as star-crossed lovers in Brooklyn. They discuss the film's unique narrative structure, its approach to Italian-American New York, and the blazing performances at its center.

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into Disney Channel classic "High School Musical 2" at a Patreon subscriber's request. They discuss the film's cultural impact, its Marxist themes, its blast-from-the-past fashions, and much more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 mystery "Rear Window," starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly. They break down Stewart and Kelly's star power, dig into some classic feminist film theory, praise the film's iconic costumes, and more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Martin Scorsese's Best Picture-winning, Boston mob epic "The Departed" (2006), starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, and more. They compare the film to "Infernal Affairs" (2002), the film upon which it is based, praise its depiction of Boston, and consider Leonardo DiCaprio's excellent performance and perplexing career.

Due to unforeseen chaotic events related to the coronavirus, we've delayed our next new episode until next week. In the meantime, please enjoy this oldie-but-goodie episode on the 2016 catastrophe "Passengers," which seems even more mystifying in retrospect. Stay in your pods, everybody.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Autumn de Wilde's new adaptation of Jane Austen's masterpiece "Emma." They compare it to previous adaptations of the novel, puzzle over some odd casting and script choices, and praise its all-time great costumes.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss "Clueless" (1995), Amy Heckerling's classic high school adaptation of Jane Austen's "Emma." They compare the film to the novel and its other adaptations, discuss its engagement with nineties teen culture, and praise its costumes, performances, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan finally go deep on Paolo Sorrentino's art film-cum-television program "The Young Pope" and its sequel "The New Pope," in which they are both thoroughly overinvested. They discuss its treatment of Catholicism and the Church's recent scandals, Sorrentino's bravura direction, and above all, Jude Law's career-best performance as the young pope[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss "Birds of Prey," Cathy Yan's cracking sequel to the disastrous "Suicide Squad," once again featuring Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. They praise the film's visual style and Margot Robbie's bold performance, compare the current state of DC and Marvel films, and critique the film's handling of Ewan McGregor's queer-coded[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan offer their predictions for Sunday's Academy Awards telecast. Will "1917" or "Parasite" win the big prize? Can Bong Joon-ho topple Sam Mendes for best director? Can anyone upset Joaquin Phoenix or Brad Pitt? And more...

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss their top ten films of the year, highlighting many of the small indies and docs that made 2019 such a great year for cinema, including "Parasite," "Hustlers," "Little Women," and many more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia revisit an old favorite: Robert Altman's 2001 masterpiece "Gosford Park." They admire the film's depiction of interwar Britain; praise its sprawling cast of legendary actors including Helen Mirren, Maggie Smith, and Clive Owen; and compare it to the less politically astute "Downton Abbey," also written by screenwriter Julian Fellowes.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss one of 2019's most celebrated movies, Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite." They give an overview of the film's international success, break down its political subtext, and praise its extraordinary production design and fantastic cast of actors including Song Kang-ho and Park So-dam.

This week, Gavia and Morgan diverge on Greta Gerwig's new adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel "Little Women." They assess Gerwig's structural changes to the book, compare this iteration of the story to its previous adaptations, and discuss the film's marvelous troupe of actors including Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, and Timothée Chalamet.

This week, Morgan and Gavia dive into the year's biggest blockbuster catastrophe, "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," starring Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, and Oscar Isaac. They attempt to figure out what the hell went wrong, from an abysmal script to uninspired direction to a dire press tour. Everything that could go wrong, did go[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Todd Solondz's tween indie "Welcome to the Dollhouse" (1995). They compare it to other films about middle schoolers, praise its depiction of the messy realities of adolescent life, and contextualize it within nineties culture.

This week, Morgan and Gavia celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the 1999 classic con artist film "The Talented Mr. Ripley," starring Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and more. They dive into the film's complicated production history, take stock of Matt Damon's disappointing career, and discuss the film's unusual approach to its slippery protagonist.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Damon Lindelof's new television adaptation of Alan Moore's classic comic series "Watchmen." They compare it to Lindelof's previous work, analyze its treatment of politics and race, and contemplate its place in the changing television and superhero landscapes.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Rian Johnson's new murder mystery "Knives Out," starring Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, and many more. They compare the film to the Agatha Christie stories that inspired it, praise its many delicious performances, and break down its progressive political message.

This week, Morgan and Gavia finally tackle Todd Phillips' gritty comic book origin story "Joker," starring Joaquin Phoenix as disaffected loner-turned-criminal Arthur Fleck. They discuss the film's relationship to Batman comics and Martin Scorsese films, critique its perturbing treatment of race and mental health issues, and break down Phoenix's much-discussed performance.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the second installment of Philip Pullman's follow-up trilogy to "His Dark Materials," "The Secret Commonwealth," which finds Lyra Silvertongue studying at Oxford as a young adult. They discuss the novel's relationship to the earlier books, Pullman's new ideas about daemons, and second-book-in-a-trilogy problems.

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into the wild world of "The Lighthouse," Robert Eggers' surreal follow-up to "The Witch" (2015). They break down the film's bold stylistic choices, Eggers' approach to historical accuracy, and wild central performances from Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson.

In the second installment of their film festival coverage, Gavia and Morgan discuss more highlights from this year's New York and London Film Festivals, including Céline Sciamma's historical lesbian romance "Portrait of a Lady on Fire," Martin Scorsese's gangster epic "The Irishman," Armando Iannucci's adaptation of "David Copperfield," and more.

In the first installment of their film festival recap, Gavia and Morgan discuss some of the biggest films at the New York and London Film Festivals this year, including Noah Baumbach's divorce drama "Marriage Story," Pedro Almodóvar's autobiographical "Pain and Glory," the Judy Garland biopic "Judy," and more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia dive into the best show on television, HBO's "Succession." They break down the ethically bankrupt Roy family, discuss the show's treatment of current events and the media, and heap praise upon the show's remarkable ensemble.

This week, Morgan and Gavia dive into James Gray's space epic "Ad Astra," starring Brad Pitt and Tommy Lee Jones. They break down the film's many cinematic influences, discuss the effects of studio interference, and praise its depiction of toxic masculinity.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss September's break-out hit film "Hustlers." Topics include the movie's central romance and refreshing depiction of strippers, its vivid evocation of New York c. 2008, and that Jennifer Lopez performance.

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into the Wachwoski's underappreciated, instant cult classic "Jupiter Ascending." They discuss the film's extraordinary production and costume design, its fairy tale tropes, its initial critical drubbing, and why it may just feature Eddie Redmayne's best performance yet.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the mostly hotly anticipated horror movie of the year, "IT Chapter Two." They compare it to the superior "It" (2017), lament its long run time, and try to figure out where it all went wrong.

This week, Morgan and Gavia break down the 2012 film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical "Rock of Ages." They compare the film to other jukebox musicals, assess its box office performance, and — most importantly — discuss what the hell is going on with Tom Cruise.

This week, Morgan and Gavia cap off the podcast's summer book club with a discussion of Elizabeth Gaskell's Victorian romance "North and South." They compare the novel to other nineteenth century marriage novels and evaluate its depiction of the industrial revolution and overwrought male emotions.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Jennifer Kent's cult horror film "The Babadook" (2014). They consider the merits of watching horror at the cinema and at home, compare this film's family drama structure to "Hereditary," and explain the origin of one of the internet's most inexplicable memes.

This week, Morgan and Gavia travel back to 1999 once again to dive into the Wachowskis' iconic blockbuster "The Matrix." They discuss the film's connection to other cyberpunk films, how it has been reinterpreted over time, Keanu Reeves' starpower, and more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the cult classic comedy "Dick," starring Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams. They discuss its spin on the history of Watergate, admire its remarkable costume design, and compare it to other political satires and teen girl comedies.

This week, Gavia and Morgan debate the merits of Ari Aster's follow-up to "Hereditary," folk-horror feature "Midsommar." They discuss its effectiveness as a horror film, the importance of a good script versus good production values, and the film's allusions to white supremacist iconography.

This week, Gavia and Morgan revisit Todd Haynes' instant classic 2015 film "Carol." They discuss the film's references to photography and classic film, contextualize it within Todd Haynes' wider filmography and recent queer cinema, and debate the lead performances by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the 1994 classic of Australian indie cinema "Muriel's Wedding." They compare it to other coming of age films, analyze its combination of comedy and drama, and praise its refreshing depiction of awkward young womanhood.

This week, Gavia and Morgan commiserate over the X-Men franchise's last gasp, "X-Men: Dark Phoenix." They bemoan filmmaker Simon Kinberg's incompetent direction, marvel at the film's incomprehensible plot, reminisce about happier times, and wonder where it all went wrong.

This week, Morgan and Gavia dive into Olivia Wilde's debut film, "Booksmart." They discuss the film's stellar jokes, queer themes, and its muddled take on the American college admissions process, and compare it to other teen movies of recent and not-so-recent times.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the original 1954 "Godzilla." Topics include its references to nuclear war, its low-fi special effects, and its lasting legacy of additional Godzilla and non-Godzilla kaiju movies.

This week, Gavia and Morgan convene their first book club of the year to discuss Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein," first published in 1818. Topics include Shelley's storied personal history, the novel's themes of parenthood and colonialism, and its long legacy of dramatic and cinematic adaptations.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Claire Denis' unnerving new science fiction film, "High Life," starring Robert Pattinson and Juliette Binoche. They discuss Denis and Pattinson's collaboration, the film's unusual relationship with the space movie canon, and the existential terror of existence.

This week, to celebrate its arrival on UK Netflix, Gavia and Morgan revisit one of 2014's best films, Bong Joon-ho's dystopian thriller "Snowpiercer." They dissect its allegorical approach to capitalism, its effective use of Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton, its stupendous production design, and its troubled history as one of the Weinstein Company's last significant[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the children's classic "The Black Stallion." They admire its striking visuals, reflect upon its unique approach to children's cinema, and compare it to other beloved horse tales of yore. A Patreon-sponsored episode.

This week, Morgan and Gavia revisit a classic of early-aughts animation: early DreamWorks animation feature "The Road to El Dorado." They compare the film to newer animated fare, consider its depiction of colonization, and reminisce about its status as a slashfic ur-text for many millennials of a certain age. A Patreon-sponsored episode.

This week, Gavia and Morgan celebrate the 20th anniversary of classic teen movie (and Shakespeare adaptation) "10 Things I Hate About You." They compare it to its source text, "The Taming of the Shrew," as well as to other teen movies of the era, consider its feisty heroine in the context of third-wave feminism, and[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan celebrate the fifth anniversary of one of Marvel's best films and their own personal favorite, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." They dissect its political commentary, its sensitive treatment of its central characters, assess its place in the larger MCU, and reminisce about the glory days of Captain America fandom c.[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss "Us," Jordan Peele's follow-up to 2017's instant-classic "Get Out." They compare the film to its predecessor, puzzle over its muddled political allegory, try to break down that crazy ending, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan debate the merits of Bryan Fuller's cult show "Hannibal." They discuss the show's elaborate visual imagery, its mesmerizing central performances, and the complicated ethical ramifications of its depictions of violence. A Patreon-sponsored episode.

This week, Morgan and Gavia weigh the merits (or lack thereof?) of Marvel Studios' first woman-led film, "Captain Marvel." They evaluate it against other Marvel origin stories, critique its use of amnesia as a plot device, appreciate performances from Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn, and more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia revisit Hollywood classic "The Sting." They consider its influence on modern-day heist movies, contextualize it in the history of con men and heists in America, and sing the praises of the ever-dreamy Robert Redford and Paul Newman.

This week, Morgan and Gavia recap the 2019 Oscar ceremony, first reviewing the telecast itself, then breaking down frustrating wins for "Green Book" and "Bohemian Rhapsody," and finally celebrating some ceremony highlights including Spike Lee and Olivia Colman.

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into Netflix's new hit show "Russian Doll," starring co-creator Natasha Lyonne and Charlie Barnett. They discuss the show's many allegorical interpretations, its superlative depiction of New York, the different ways we watch television today, and the novelty of Lyonne's exceptional performance.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Marielle Heller's Oscar-nominated film "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" Topics include the rare book world, Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant's marvelous performances, the film's depiction of nineties New York, and its depiction of queer friendship.

This week, Morgan and Gavia consider Netflix's new art world satire/horror flick "Velvet Buzzsaw," starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Toni Collette (among others) and directed by Dan Gilroy. They evaluate its success as satire of the art world, critique its use of horror tropes, and compare it to other recent entries in the art satire genre.

This week, Morgan and Gavia go deep on one of their favorite films of all time: Todd Haynes' glam rock cult classic "Velvet Goldmine." They reflect on their personal history with the film, contextualize its many historical and artistic references, discuss the role that fandom plays in the film, and sing the praises of all[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia reflect on the year in film and share their personal lists for the top 10 movies of 2018, and look forward to the year to come. Films include "The Favourite," "Roma," "A Star Is Born," and many more.

This week, in a special Patreon-sponsored episode, Gavia and Morgan revisit a popular childhood favorite, "Muppet Treasure Island." They discuss the film's close adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, its relationship to other Muppet media, the evolution of children's movies, and the genius of Tim Curry.

This week, Morgan and Gav effuse over the best superhero movie in recent memory, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse." They consider its position in the superhero canon, its relationship to comicbook structure and aesthetics, its remarkable visual style, and exciting voice performances by Shameik Moore and Jake Johnson.

This week, Gavia and Morgan watch the (sort of) iconic vampire film "Twilight" (2008) for the first time. They discuss the film as a cultural phenomenon, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson's questionable performances and subsequent career success, suburban vampire mythology, sparkles, and more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the long-running cult sitcom "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," which just wrapped up its record-setting thirteenth season. They consider the show as a whole, pick favorite episodes, and effuse over its stellar thirteenth season finale.

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into Netflix's new historical drama "Outlaw King," starring Chris Pine and Florence Pugh and set in medieval Scotland. Gavia shows off her knowledge of Scottish history while Morgan complains about pacing... so, about par for the course.

This week, Gavia and Morgan debate Luca Guadanigno's remake of the classic Italian horror film "Suspiria." Topics discussed include how the new film stacks up against the original, its use of dance, Tilda Swinton's many performances, and its dubious handling of its Cold War setting.

The second installment of Morgan and Gavia's two-part recap of this year's New York and London Film Festivals. This episode includes an in-depth discussion of Alfonso Cuarón's personal film "Roma" and a run-through of other festival highlights.

To celebrate Halloween, Gavia and Morgan take a trip to the nineties to watch Neil Jordan's classic vampire flick "Interview with the Vampire." They discuss Brad Pitt's wig, Tom Cruise's commitment to the cause, all that sexual tension, and much more.

Here is the first installment of a two-part conversation about this year’s New York and London Film Festivals. Morgan and Gavia highlight some of the best (and worst) films they saw at this year’s festival, including Yorgos Lanthimos’ Oscar-bound "The Favorite," Cannes sensation Burning, the Coen Brothers’ new film "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs," and[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan go down the rabbit hole of "Maniac," the new genre-bending Netflix series from director Cary Fukunaga. They puzzle over the strange casting of Jonah Hill opposite Emma Stone, discuss the success (or failure) of the show's genre pastiches, and bask in the comic genius of Sonoya Mizuno and Justin Theroux.

This week, Morgan and Gavia go deep on the internet meme-turned-critical sensation-turned box office hit "A Star Is Born." Topics discussed include the film's use of music, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga's sterling performances, and how nice it is to just watch a movie about feelings for a change.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the 1976 British television classic "I, Claudius." In this episode, Gavia shows off her knowledge of Roman history, Morgan confesses her lack thereof, and they both consider the history of serialized television drama. A Patreon-sponsored episode.

This week, Morgan and Gavia take a trip down memory lane by discussing the seminal classic "13 Going on 30" before assessing the current state of the rom-com. Films covered include "Set It Up," "Crazy Rich Asians," and "To All The Boys I've Loved Before."

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss their summer book club pick, Terry Pratchett’s "Night Watch." They reflect on the book’s unusual treatment of policing, break down time travel tropes, and situate "Night Watch" in the larger context of the Discworld series.

This week, Gavia and Morgan conclude their rewatch of the Star Wars prequel trilogy with "The Revenge of the Sith." They ponder some of the deepest mysteries of the Star Wars franchise, including why Anakin is such a little shit, why Padme never goes to the doctor, and when Obi-Wan will get the spinoff movie[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia dive into the summer's best action movie, the gloriously high-octane "Mission: Impossible – Fallout." Questions posed include: How is Tom Cruise still living and breathing? Is this really the best action flick since "Mad Max: Fury Road"? And was Henry Cavill's mustache worth it in the end?

This week, Morgan and Gavia revisit an old favorite: Howard Hawks' iconic romantic comedy "His Girl Friday." They discuss how it fits into the screwball genre, its radical gender politics, the transcendent appeal of Cary Grant, rom-com tropes, and more.

This week, on a special Patreon-funded birthday episode, Gavia and Morgan watch Tarsem Singh's cult classic "The Fall." They admire the film's singular visual style, reflect on its use of fairy tale and myth, and most importantly... swoon over Lee Pace.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the terrifying new horror film "Hereditary" from first-time director Ari Aster. They compare the film to other staples of the genre, admire its depiction of family trauma, and analyze its scare factor. Spoilers abound.

This week, Gavia and Morgan continue their epic rewatch of the Star Wars prequel trilogy with the decidedly underwhelming "Attack of the Clones." They discuss the film's thin plot, its outdated visual effects, and most of all... that bad romance.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss a cult horror classic: Dario Argento's "Suspiria" (1977). They admire its production design and soundscape, compare it to other classic horror films, speculate about the upcoming remake by Luca Guadanigno, and more. A Patreon-funded episode.

This week, Gavia and Morgan go deep on "Killing Eve," Phoebe Waller-Bridge's new hit spy show starring Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer. Topics discussed include the show's relationship to other serial killer media, its gloriously female sensibility, those clothes, and Sandra Oh's hair.

This week, Gavia and Morgan break down what exactly went wrong with the latest underwhelming installment in Disney's Star Wars machine, "Solo: A Star Wars Story." Was it the director switch-up? The casting? The muddled plot? The not-so-low-key sexism? And much, much more.

This week... a fight! Gavia and Morgan go in on AMC's limited series "The Terror," an Arctic exploration horror-drama show designed to make Gav happy and Morgan annoyed. They discuss how the show compares to other explorer fiction, the insanity of the Victorians, whether or not horror can work on television, and all those old[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia dive into Jim Henson's cult classic "Labyrinth." They discuss David Bowie's iconic performance, the very understandable impact this film had on generations of impressionable young ladies, its similarity to classical romance, and more. A Patreon-funded episode.

This week, Morgan and Gavia travel back in time to revisit David Fincher's 2010 biopic of Mark Zuckerberg, "The Social Network." They assess how the film has aged, its near-total divergence from the actual history of Facebook's early years, and Andrew Garfield's Bambi eyes.

At long last... Gavia and Morgan revisit the first film in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, courtesy of a very generous Patreon subscriber. Topics discussed include: the greatness of Liam Neeson, the terribleness of George Lucas' dialogue, and what on earth is going on with Jar Jar Binks.

This week, Morgan and Gavia watch a classic: Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" (1960). Topics discussed include Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh's iconic performances, the film's influence on the slasher genre, its famous plot twists, and how it fits into Hitchcock's wider filmography.

This week, Gavia and Morgan are joined by culture writer Sulagna Misra for a discussion of Guillermo del Toro's fan favorite blockbuster "Pacific Rim." They reflect on the film's success as a smart-dumb blockbuster, its elaborate world building, the mesmerizing woodenness of Charlie Hunnam, and how sequel "Pacific Rim: Uprising" stacks up to the original.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss CBS's long-running Sherlock Holmes procedural "Elementary," a topic chosen by Patreon subscribers. They compare the show to other Holmes adaptations, express their admiration for its central cast, and bemoan the state of mainstream Hollywood. [This episode focuses on the finale of "Elementary's" first season.]

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into the mesmerizing world of "Annihilation," the trippy new science fiction film from director Alex Garland. They discuss the film's frustrating distribution (or lack thereof), how it stacks up against Garland's other work and other science fiction classics, and What It All Means.

This week, Gav is joined by guest hosts Elizabeth Minkel and Natasha Simonova for a very special episode about the pirate drama "Black Sails." We explore the historical and literary themes of the show, including its similarities to 17th century Revenge Tragedy, and what "historical fiction" actually means. Spoiler warning: We cover all four seasons, so this[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia recap the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2017 (or, if you insist, 2018) Oscar ceremony, from "The Shape of Water"'s Best Picture win to Frances McDormand's barn-burning speech to... jet-skis?

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Marvel's latest hit, the record-breaking "Black Panther." Topics include the film's thrilling visuals, its departure from traditional superhero storytelling, its excellent women, and... "The Lion King"?

This week, Gavia and Morgan preview the 2018 Winter Olympics. They discuss NBC's disastrous coverage of the opening ceremony, break down each of the figure skating disciplines, and survey some of the other sports, including snowboarding.

This week, Morgan and Gavia dig into Paul Thomas Anderson's sumptuous masterpiece "Phantom Thread." They discuss the film's magnificent costumes, its delectable use of food, how it compares to PTA's recent work, the wondrous Vicky Krieps, and the hungry boy. In other news, last week, we launched a Patreon! Please check out our page and,[...]

Morgan and Gavia dive into the good, the bad, and the ugly of the nominations for the 90th Academy Awards. Greta! Jordan! Chris! Paul! Guillermo!

This week, Morgan and Gavia find themselves at odds over Steven Spielberg's new historical drama "The Post." They consider the film's classical style, Spielberg's corpus, Meryl Streep's caftan, and get side-tracked by their antipathy of Winston Churchill biopics.

This week, Morgan takes a trip down memory lane by rewatching the 1997 animated classic "Anastasia"... which Gavia just watched for the first time. They discuss its adaptation potential, the enduring power of the Anastasia myth, and the enduring appeal of millennial icon Dmitri.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Gavia's favorite film of the year, Guillermo del Toro's new creature feature, "The Shape of Water." They consider its topical political resonances, its mishmash of genres, how it fits into del Toro's filmography, and Sally Hawkins' luminous performance.

This week, Morgan and Gavia duke it out over Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the latest, divisive installment in the Star Wars universe. Gavia is a fan; Morgan is frustrated. A disturbance in the Force!

This week, Morgan and Gavia rhapsodize over Morgan's favorite movie of the year, indie sensation "Call Me by Your Name." They compare it to director Luca Guadanigno's previous films, "I Am Love" and "A Bigger Splash," reflect on its universal specificity, the brilliance of actors Timothée Chalamet and Michael Stuhlbarg, that peach scene, and more.

This week, Gavia reports back from DC's disappointing mega-blockbuster "Justice League." Morgan refused to see this film on principle, so Gav gives a full report on the film's aesthetic mediocrity, the unfortunate effects of all that reshooting, and what on earth is going on with Ben Affleck.

This week, Gavia and Morgan revisit their childhoods with Philip Pullman's new novel "La Belle Sauvage," the first installment of his new trilogy The Book of Dust, a companion to His Dark Materials. They discuss this book's relationship to Pullman's earlier trilogy, earnest children, frightening villains, Oxford, and—for some reason—Edmund Spenser's living situation.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Taika Waititi's masterful addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, "Thor: Ragnarok." Topics include Chris Hemsworth's comedic chops, the film's eye-popping design and postcolonial politics, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan celebrate Halloween by watching Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 horror classic, "Bram Stoker's Dracula." They discuss how it diverges from other Dracula films, its unconventional romance, Keanu Reeves' worst performance, and Gavia's dream Frankenstein adaptation.

This week, Gavia and Morgan are joined by special guest Mallory Ortberg for a conversation about Netflix's surprise true crime spoof "American Vandal." They discuss the show's relationship to true crime, its glorious depiction of dirtbag teens and innovative use of social media, and the relief of watching something that just feels not-terrible.

This week, Morgan and Gavia report back from the New York and London Film Festivals, where they saw an eclectic collection of films including "The Florida Project," "BPM," "Mudbound," "Lady Bird," "The Meyerowitz Stories," "The Killing of a Sacred Deer," and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan are lukewarm on Denis Villeneuve's sequel to Ridley Scott's 1982 sci-fic classic "Blade Runner." Topics of discussion include the films problems with women, its overly complicated screenplay, Harrison Ford's best performance in years, and whether the idea of a sequel was doomed from the outset.

This week, Gavia and Morgan change it up by diving into the latest novel by master spy novelist John le Carré, "A Legacy of Spies," which marks his final return to the world of George Smiley and the Circus. Topics discussed include the novel's relationship to its predecessors, le Carré's difficulties writing women, Morgan's le[...]

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the new Star Trek show airing on CBS All Access, "Star Trek: Discovery." Topics include Gav's longtime Star Trek fandom, how the show diverges from other iterations of the franchise, new star Sonequa Martin, and what's up with those Klingons anyway.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Darren Aronofsky's Biblical parable horror flick, "Mother!" Topics discussed include whether or not the film's muddled allegory actually means anything, its poor box office performance, and Jennifer Lawrence's very bad wig. Reminder: on October 3rd, we will be discussing John le Carré's new novel, "A Legacy of Spies." Read[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Tim Burton's Batman films, "Batman"(1989) and "Batman Returns" (1992), starring Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and others. Topics discussed include how these Gothic movies stand apart from later cinematic Batmans, Burton's early-20th century cinema influences, the unique appeal of Keaton's Bruce Wayne, and the greatness of Pfeiffer's Catwoman.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Steven Soderbergh's return to feature filmmaking, the NASCAR heist flick "Logan Lucky." They are joined by West Virginia native Kevin Collier for a discussion of the film's depiction of the state, its treatment of class, how it compares to "Ocean's Eleven" and "Magic Mike," and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the classic Hannibal adaptation "The Silence of the Lambs." Topics discussed include how the the film's gender politics have aged, how different adaptations have approached the character, Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Fosters' performances, and more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia chat about recent theater, including the Public Theater's production of Hamlet, starring Oscar Isaac, and a selection of shows Gav has seen at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Discussion incorporates both serious theater talk and an in-depth analysis of actor heights.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss 1999's beloved cult classic "The Mummy." Topics include, but are not limited to, how the film draws on 1950s film tropes, the lasting appeal of Rachel Weisz's plucky librarian, Brendan Fraser's glorious nineties hair, and the baffling decision to "reboot" the franchise with Tom Cruise.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Christopher Nolan's time-bending World War II epic "Dunkirk." Topics discussed include the film's depiction of masculinity and race, what the deal is with 70mm anyway, Tom Hardy's face, and... Harry Styles.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the HBO sitcom Silicon Valley. Topics discussed include, but are not limited to, how the show has changed over time, its painfully accurate satire of Silicon Valley culture, its depiction of male sexuality, and the irresistible genius of Zach Woods.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the latest reboot of Spider-Man, "Spider-Man: Homecoming." Topics discussed include, but are not limited to, the film's refreshing teen spirit, Peter's similarities to Miles Morales, Tom Holland's boundless charm, and how it fits into the greater MCU and the superhero landscape as a whole.

This week, Morgan and Gavia diverge on Edgar Wright's pop-heist film 'Baby Driver." Topics discussed include, but are not limited to, Ansel Elgort's surprising charm, the film's women, Jon Hamm's haircut, and cinematic joy.

[UPDATED] Morgan and Gavia return from a hiatus to discuss the blockbuster of the summer, Patty Jenkins' extended universe-saving "Wonder Woman." Topics discussed include: how the film compares to other superhero origin stories, its refreshing earnestness, the pluses and minuses of the WWI setting, Gal Gadot and Chris Pine's winning charm, and the glorious sight[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the new adaptation of Neil Gaiman's classic fantasy novel "American Gods." Topics include changes from the book, the show's distinctive style, how it compares to showrunner Bryan Fuller's cult hit "Hannibal," and its treatment of race and religion.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss "Alien: Covenant," the latest installment in Ridley Scott's ever-growing "Alien" franchise. Topics discussed include how blockbusters have changed in the last forty years, practical vs. digital effects, and the indelible pairing of Fassbender and Fassbender.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Anna Rose Holmer's 2016 indie "The Fits." Topics include the horrors of middle school, hysteria outbreaks, kids on film, and the movie's masterful use of cinematic language.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the cult classic Romy and Michele's High School Reunion in honor of its twentieth anniversary. Topics include the film's refreshing narrative structure, its surreal costume design, and its celebration of ditziness.

This week, Morgan and Gavia answer listener questions. They discuss future episodes, Hollywood trends they could do without, political art, and address a vital Pacific Rim/HDM crossover query—and more.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Frank Capra's 1939 classic "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." Topics include, but are not limited to, how the film's message reads today, that filibuster sequence, The Power of Jimmy Stewart, and why Jean Arthur can't catch a break.

This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Jordan Peele's horror hit "Get Out." Topics include the film's genius casting, how it compares to other recent horror films, and the promise of the "social thriller." Spoilers ahead!

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss FX's new X-Men show, "Legion." They compare the original and frequently bizarre series to Logan and the other X-Men films, speculate about what exactly makes it so special, and take a moment to appreciate Phase 2 of Dan Stevens' storied career.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss "Logan," Hugh Jackman's last hurrah as Wolverine and a welcome change of pace for the X-Men franchise. Topics include the movie's unusually compelling emotional core, its questionable use of violence, and Hugh Jackman's terrifying diet.

Morgan and Gavia give a quick recap of the weirdest Oscar night in recent memory, from that bizarre ending to... a thrilling upset in sound editing.

Morgan and Gavia return to discuss the most important cultural event of the year... the Academy Awards. First, they run through likely winners (and deserving losers) in every category, from sound editing to best picture; then, they take reader questions. Happy Oscar watching!

In this week's episode, Morgan and Gavia discuss Pablo Larraín's new film "Jackie," starring Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy. Topics include the film's deviation from standard biopic structure, its relationship with history (and what it says about history), Natalie Portman's performance, Mica Levi's score, and why female-led films don't do better at the Oscars.

This week, Gavia and Morgan finally discuss what is truly Gavia's pop culture obsession of the moment: the figure skating anime that has taken the world by storm, "Yuri on Ice." Topics include the show's relationship to real-life figure skating culture and technique, its thoughtful depiction of anxiety, its multiple narrators, and more.

This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into the latest (and last?) season of the BBC's tarnished crown jewel, "Sherlock." When did the show go south, and how? Is a text affair a real affair or not (answer: yes)? And, most pressingly, will Steven Moffat ever write a plausible female character again (answer: no)?

Morgan and Gavia start 2017 off with a bang with a full-throated endorsement of the Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard vehicle "Assassin's Creed." Topics discussed include: sensible office-wear, Patsy Cline, Google Maps inside your brain, Jeremy Irons doing his Jeremy Irons thing, and, of course, parkour.

In their last episode of the year, Morgan and Gavia ruminate on Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence's sci-fi romance "Passengers," the best-worst film of the year. Questions include: How did this happen? Does Chris Pratt know he's playing a psychopath? Why does Jennifer Lawrence's skin look like that? Has Morten Tyldum ever watched a movie[...]

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the new Star Wars prequel film, "Rogue One." They dive into the film's racial diversity, its gender imbalance, reshoot issues, that ending, and why Diego Luna should probably just get his own movie already.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Mary Harron's 2000 cult classic "American Psycho." Topics discussed include the book's checkered history, the film's depiction of violence, Christian Bale's beautiful shiny face, the film's relationship with "Fight Club," and why having a woman director really does matter.

This week, Gavia and Morgan look back at "Casablanca." They discuss why the love story is so satisfying, how the studio system has changed, and how the film functions as a piece of propaganda and relates to our current political moment.

This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the enjoyable but flawed first installment in the new Harry Potter franchise, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." Topics include the movie's worldbuilding, its problems with race, Colin Farrell's suits, and the future of the franchise.

In this week's episode, Gavia and Morgan discuss the new sci-fi hit "Arrival," a rare non-franchise entry into 2016's blockbuster lineup. Topics discussed include how the film steers clear of alien invasion cliches, the pleasures of a brainy female protagonist, and the effect of the election on pop culture.

This week, Gavia and Morgan take a look at Marvel's latest hit, the Benedict Cumberbatch-fronted "Doctor Strange." Why is this movie so critically acclaimed? Will Hollywood ever stop making movies about arrogant genius white men? And what's up with all the racism?

This week, Gavia and Morgan celebrate Halloween with "Carrie." Starting with that bizarre locker room scene, they discuss the film's depiction of gender, the horror of restraint, Sissy Spacek's hair, and their own considerably less eventful proms.

In this episode, Gavia and Morgan dive into Robert Altman's classic film "Nashville," a sprawling ensemble set in the 1970s country music scene. Topics discussed include the film's depiction of women, its status as an unconventional musical, its politics, and... Jeff Goldblum.

In their second dispatch from the London Film Festival, Morgan and Gavia discuss Kenneth Lonergan's heartbreaking masterpiece "Manchester by the Sea," as well as "Certain Women," Kelly Reichardt's exquisite adaptation of Maile Meloy's "Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It," which won Best Film at the festival's awards ceremony. They also run down[...]

In the first of two dispatches from the London Film Festival, Morgan and Gavia discuss three films: Damien Chazelle's Oscar-buzzy musical "La La Land"; Jim Jarmusch's drama "Paterson," with Adam Driver; and Olivier Assayas' odd supernatural drama "Personal Shopper," starring Kristen Stewart. Coming soon: "Manchester by the Sea," "Certain Women," and more.

In this week's episode, Morgan and Gavia discuss the 2007 film "Atonement." Topics include, but are not limited to: the difficulties of adapting an unadaptable novel, WWII in film, Great House dramas, That Ending, and whatever happened to James McAvoy.

After a brief hiatus, Morgan and Gavia return to discuss the first presidential debate. Through a haze of existential despair, they discuss topics including, but not limited to, debate strategy or lack thereof, Hillary Clinton's extraordinary self-control, Donald Trump's sexist buffoonery, the futility of fact-checking, when ISIS was founded anyway, and whether anything matters.

This week, Morgan and Gavia revel in the Gene Kelly classic "Singin' in the Rain." Topics discussed include the film's relationship to Hollywood, its treatment of women, its influence on contemporary film, and why it's just so damn fun to watch.

This week, Gavia and Morgan look back on the summer's movies and wonder what went wrong—possible answers include Hollywood's superhero problem and its remake obsession—and look forward to some of the more dire upcoming big-budget releases. They also recommend some of the best films of the year so far.

This week, Morgan and Gavia (but mostly Morgan) discuss the Rio Olympics, starting with The Saga of Ryan Lochte and moving on to topics including but not limited to the inherent problems with the Olympic Games, NBC's bad coverage, Michael Phelps' hyperbaric chamber, Simone Biles' dominance, and men crying.

In this week's episode, Morgan and Gavia dissect what may be the year's worst film, the DC extended universe's "Suicide Squad." They cover the film's many flaws, from its incomprehensible plot to its myriad cast of unnecessary characters to its problems with sexism and violence, in addition to discussing its troubled production history and how[...]

In this bonus episode, Gavia recounts the often bewildering plot of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to Morgan," who hasn't read it and isn't planning to. Spoilers abound. Other topics include the play's similarity to fanfiction, queerbaiting, reboot culture, and when to just let go.

This week, Morgan and Gavia finally go deep on their favorite show, the long-running "America," in its historic 240th and final season. They discuss the surprising twist in this season's Republican primary, how the internet fueled Trump and Sanders fandom, perennial representation issues, and what the last few months of the most popular TV show[...]

Morgan and Gavia check in from their summer travels. This chat show episode somehow spans Star Wars Celebration, Michelangelo, Morgan's high school history curriculum, and Pokemon Go. Tune back in next week for a special episode and a return to regular programming.

Gavia and Morgan go deep on one of their favorite films, Alfonso Cuarón's 2006 dystopian quasi-thriller "Children of Men." On top of some fond reminiscing and general enthusiasm, they consider the film's technical mastery, how its political commentary has aged, and the glory of Clive Owen at his peak.

Morgan and Gavia dive into AMC's adaptation of the cult comic "Preacher." Topics include genre, pacing and the trickiness of adaptation, the show's less than mesmerizing central character, gender and race issues, and the greatness of Ruth Negga and Joseph Gilgun.

In a departure from regular programming, Gavia and Morgan spend this week explaining and shouting about Brexit, the EU membership referendum that sent both the United Kingdom and global markets into chaos last week. Their discussion spans the referendum's key figures, from Prime Minister David Cameron to professional toad Nigel Farage, its potential consequences for[...]

In a slow week for pop culture, Morgan and Gavia try something new: forcing each other to watch something they know they'd only watch under duress. Morgan subjects Gavia to Noah Baumbach's indie dramedy "Frances Ha," while Gavia forces Morgan to endure the Wachowskis' psychadelic action flick "Speed Racer." Though chosen with the best of[...]

Gavia and Morgan discuss Kathryn Bigelow's "Point Break," covering topics including the film's homoerotic subtext, Bigelow's strength as a director, Keanu Reeves' glorious blankness, Patrick Swayze's glorious mullet, and how the film differs from other entries in the action-bro genre.

Morgan and Gavia discuss Whit Stillman's adaptation of Jane Austen's unfinished novel "Lady Susan," "Love & Friendship." Topics discussed include the trick of adapting Austen for the screen, how "Love & Friendship" and "Lady Susan" differ from Austen's other work, Austen fandom, and the funniest five minutes either of your intrepid co-hosts have seen in[...]

Gavia and Morgan discuss "X-Men: Apocalypse," the latest installment of the rebooted X-Men franchise. Topics include but are not limited to: makeovers, the new crop of teens, diversity (or lack thereof), villain issues, the most expendable family in recent blockbuster history, and a single tear.

Gavia and Morgan travel back in time to 2010 to revisit "Inception." Topics include, but are not limited to, fandom, the problem of exposition, Christopher Nolan's oeuvre, Tom Hardy's funny voices, what has happened to Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and those costumes.

Morgan and Gavia have it out over "Captain America: Civil War," which Gav enjoyed very much and Morgan hated. Who will come out on top? Is it possible to win an argument about a movie? You'll just have to listen to find out. Topics discussed include but are not limited to: narrative issues, Black Panther[...]

Gavia and Morgan revisit the top-grossing movie of all time, James Cameron's "Avatar." Topics discussed include but are not limited to the film's groundbreaking VFX, its confused political messaging, its four pending sequels, Sam Worthington's accent, and whether or not James Cameron is a furry.

Morgan and Gavia discuss Tina Fey and Robert Carlock's Netflix sitcom "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," including but not limited to: boggling at its racism, comparing it to "30 Rock," admiring its depiction of trauma and therapy, and considering the problem with TV writers' rooms. Plus, a tease for next week.

Morgan and Gavia discuss Jeff Nichols' new film "Midnight Special," the death of the mid-budget studio movie, Michael Shannon, whether or not Joel Edgerton is actually Sam Worthington, and the problem with space Dubai.

Bonus episode: Morgan and Gavia try to make sense of the first trailer for "Doctor Strange," a task harder than it sounds.

Gavia and Morgan discuss Ta-Nehisi Coates' new Black Panther comic, delve into the history of the character, and speculate speciously on the character's potential role in "Captain America: Civil War" before going deep on what (doesn't) make a Marvel director, and how "Creed's" Ryan Coogler might break the mold.

Morgan and Gavia discuss Richard Linklater's new college comedy, "Everybody Wants Some!!," and then take a look back at his 1993 cult classic "Dazed and Confused," marvel at how time has treated Ben Affleck and Matthew McConaughey, and take a look at some other teen movies.

Gavia and Morgan break in the podcast by diving into the fascinating disaster that is Batman v Superman, covering everything from Wonder Woman to DC's extended universe growing pains to the film's problems with violence, and Batman's killer workout routine.

Morgan and Gavia tease the podcast and get ready for the cinematic masterwork that is "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice."