Episode 44: Listener Mail
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.
Read MoreEpisode 43: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
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.
Read MoreEpisode 42: Get Out
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!
Read MoreEpisode 41: Legion
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.
Read MoreEpisode 40: Logan
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.
Read MoreEpisode 39.5: Oscar Recap
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.
Read MoreEpisode 39: 2017 (2016?) Oscar Pod
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!
Read MoreEpisode 38: Jackie
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.
Read MoreEpisode 37: Yuri on Ice
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.
Read MoreEpisode 36: Sherlock, Series 4
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)?
Read MoreEpisode 35: Assassin's Creed
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.
Read MoreEpisode 34: Passengers
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 set in space before? And so on, and so forth.
Read MoreEpisode 33: Rogue One
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.
Read MoreEpisode 32: American Psycho
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.
Read MoreEpisode 31: Casablanca
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.
Read MoreEpisode 30: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
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.
Read MoreEpisode 29: Arrival
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.
Read MoreEpisode 28: Doctor Strange
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?
Read MoreEpisode 27: Carrie (1976)
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.
Read MoreEpisode 26: Nashville
In this episode, Gavia and Morgan dive into Robert Altman's 1975 classic 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.
Read More