Watch The Film With Us

Surrealist Films | Being John Malkovich Part 1

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the brain of John Malkovich! So far, in 2026, we have watched some pretty weird films, but while weird, they weren’t as surrealist as “Being John Malkovich”. In this episode, we chat about what makes a film surrealist and discuss the uncomfortable and creepy nature of this genre of film.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on X: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Theme Music Credit: Ultra Lights by Stefan Kartenberg (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/JeffSpeed68/61225 Ft: Javolenus

Cult Classic Topics | Rocky Horror Picture Show Part 4

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500

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While Rocky Horror might not be as shocking now, it was definitely shocking and controversial when it first came out in the 70s. In this episode, we chat about the bravery of the filmmakers in creating such a bold film that deals with topics that audiences might not be ready to watch. We also postulate what kinds of topics future cult classics might focus on.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on X: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Camp | Rocky Horror Picture Show Part 3

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500

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What makes something camp? In this episode, we talk about how camp Rocky Horror Picture is and how its camp aesthetic and sensibility makes it timeless.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on X: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Eventising | Rocky Horror Picture Show Part 2

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500

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What is eventising and how does Rocky Horror use events to keep its fans engaged in the fandom? We chat about the experiential element of Rocky Horror Picture Show, particularly the sense of expression and belonging that cult followers feel when they participate in a midnight screening of the film.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on X: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Word of Mouth | Rocky Horror Picture Show Part 1

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500

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Let’s do the time warp again! We couldn’t resist watching the most popular cult classic of all cult classics - Rocky Horror Picture Show! This episode, we chat about how we first got introduced to the film, it’s stage origins and how it became popular.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on X: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Musical Fantasy | Labyrinth Part 4

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

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What are musical fantasies and what are the common tropes within them? In this episode, we chat about the musical fantasy genre, comparing “Labyrinth” with other famous musical fantasies, such as The Wizard of Oz, Into the Woods and Shrek. We also chat about what works and doesn’t work for us in this genre.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on X: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

David Bowie | Labyrinth Part 3

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 18:00:00 -0500

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Has Labyrinth turned us into David Bowie fans? In this episode, we chat about what makes David Bowie special, including his music, Ziggy Stardust, his style and his legacy. We also chat about the concept album and use of storytelling, comparing David Bowie to Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on X: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Puppets! | Labyrinth Part 2

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0500

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Where have all the puppets gone? In this episode, we chat about the use of puppets in Labyrinth and how puppetry has become a lost art. We also touch on whether VFX is the new puppeteering and whether the use of physical props and effects (such as puppets and explosions) could help with realism in filmmaking.

Corridor Crew VFX Artists React: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4nGxX2mHOs&t=379s

Let us know what you think and chat with us on X: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Who is “Labyrinth” for? | Labyrinth Part 1

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 17:00:00 -0500

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To celebrate its 40th anniversary, we are starting 2026 with the very strange “Labyrinth”! In this episode, we chat about who the film was made for and how it achieved its cult following.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on X: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

[SPECIAL] Mid-Decade Check-In (with Faus)

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0500

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To start of the second half of the 2020’s, we invited Faus back to the podcast to chat about our top 3 films of the last 5 years. What were your favourites of the decade so far? Let us know on X: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

[SPECIAL] 2025 Wrap Up

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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What were our top 5 five films of 2025? Listen into our annual wrap up episode where we chat about our favourite films of the year and what we are looking forward to in 2026!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The Future of Sketch Comedy | Monty Python and The Holy Grail Part 3

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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Are we watching more comedy than ever before? In this episode, we chat about other forms of sketch comedy, including SNL and sketches on social media. We also postulate whether we have come back full circle to a more wholesome and “backyard” style of comedy that is more similar to Monty Python.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Monty Python | Monty Python and The Holy Grail Part 2

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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We chat about the core hallmarks of Monty Python, particularly the comedy troupe’s history and the entirety of their franchise. We also postulate why they became so popular and how they have made their intellectual perspectives accessible to all audiences.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Why Sketch Comedy Has a Cult Following | Monty Python and The Holy Grail Part 1

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 18:00:00 -0500

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Why is “Monty Python and The Holy Grail” a cult classic? In this episode, we chat about sketch comedy and how its niche and polarising qualities help form cult followings. We also chat about our history with Monty Python and how it’s changed from our childhood to now.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Cult Classics | But I’m a Cheerleader Part 4

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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What makes a film a cult classic? We chat about the key characteristics of a cult classic film, and how film criticism may or may not have shaped our top 100 lists. The episode ends with a chat about our own personal favourite cult classics.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Satirical Films | But I’m a Cheerleader Part 3

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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How does “But I’m a Cheerleader” use humour to show a different perspective on conversion therapy? In this episode, we chat about the use of satire in storytelling and recent examples of satirical films. We also chat about whether satire is effective and compare it to other genres.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Conversion Therapy & Gender Roles | But I’m a Cheerleader Part 2

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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In this episode, we chat about the gendered themes within “But I’m a Cheerleader”, particularly how the film treats and satirises conversion therapy. We also chat about gender and the performative element of “fitting into your gender stereotype”.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Enemies to Lovers | But I’m a Cheerleader Part 1

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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Welcome to the Cult Classic genre! In this episode, we chat about the enemies to lovers trope, and discuss how this cult classic follows the general structure of a romcom. To wrap up the female friendship genre, we also compare Megan and Graham to Needy and Jennifer.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Retrospective Cult Classics | Jennifer’s Body Part 4

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Why do bad films make such good cult classics? In this episode, we chat about how many films get “rediscovered” years later and form cult followings. We chat about why that might have happened with “Jennifer’s Body” and talk about how cult followings may differ from the film’s original fans.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Is “Jennifer’s Body” a feminist film? | Jennifer’s Body Part 3

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Is the film just misunderstood? In this episode, we chat about what makes “Jennifer’s Body” a feminist film, particularly exploring how the film was marketed and the filmmaker’s intent. Our conversation also touches on film and literary analysis, and whether sometimes we might just be reading too much into it.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Love Triangles | Jennifer’s Body Part 2

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Was Jennifer in love with Needy? We’re chatting about the infamous kiss scene in this ep, and how it sets up a love triangle in this story. In this episode, we chat about whether we agree with this take on Jennifer’s Body and how it changes the entire narrative of the film.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Toxic Female Friendships | Jennifer’s Body Part 1

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:00:00 -0400

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Happy Spooky Season, where we’re watching “Jennifer’s Body”! In this episode, we chat about overall impressions of the film and compare Jennifer and Needy’s friendship to the other onscreen friendships we’ve watched over the last few weeks.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

[SPECIAL] TIFF 2025 (with Amreen)

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Lara is joined by special guest Amreen to discuss TIFF 2025. They talk about their different approaches to navigating film festivals and chat about some of the biggest films of the year.

Amreen’s Podcast “Influx” https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/influx/id1542461102

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Who is this film for? | Booksmart Part 4

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Despite being set in high school, we discuss how Booksmart isn’t a “teen movie” and how the comedy steals the show. We also chat about how films that are set in high school don’t automatically make the film a teen film.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Friendship Fights | Booksmart Part 3

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Why do all female friendship films have a big fight? This episode, we talk about the party scene, particularly what caused Molly and Amy to fight and whose side we were on. We also compare their friendship to other female friendships we’ve watched so far, and discuss whether Molly and Amy’s friendship will last.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Actor Directors | Booksmart Part 2

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Before the scandal of “Don’t Worry Darling”, Olivia Wilde directed “Booksmart” which was extremely well received. In this episode, we chat about actor-turned-directors, why they might have taken up directing and the fluidity of roles in the film industry.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

[SPECIAL] 2025 movies so far! (with Faustino)

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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We welcome a special guest, Faus, to the pod this week, where we chat about 2025 films so far, particularly what has stood out and what we are looking forward to in the fall film season.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

High School Stereotypes | Booksmart Part 1

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Happy back to school! To celebrate the start of another school year, we are watching “Booksmart”. This episode, we chat about how high schools and cliques have changed in film over time, and why that might be.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Tibby | Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants Part 4

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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We’ve saved the most powerful storyline until last. Tibby’s storyline and the journey she goes through with Bailey adds a lot of realism to the film. It’s the one that hits you the hardest, and one of the main reasons why “Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants” goes beyond the typical teen movie genre.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Carmen | Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants Part 3

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Carmen, the glue that holds the group together, is the focus of this episode. We chat about her fiery, outgoing personality and how her story really grounds the movie, helping to bring the emotionality, heart and soul of the film.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Lena | Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants Part 2

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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This episode we focus on another sister, Lena, who has gone to Greece for the summer to stay with her grandparents. Like Bridget, she also meets a love interest. We talk about why we may or may not have enjoyed the romance and the popularity of summer romances in Europe.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Bridget | Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants Part 1

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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What a throwback! Lara and Cheryl both grew up reading “Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants”, and it’s still one of Lara’s favourite films. We chat about our experience of the film and start the month by focusing on Bridget, the sporty friend of the group, her romance with Eric and her relationship with her dad.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Girl vs boy friendship films | Bridesmaids Part 4

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Why is there always romance in female friendship films? In this episode, we chat about how our gender biases have historically affected friendship films, particularly how there’s always a romance element in films about female friendships. We also chat about the romances in the films, particularly the difference between Jon Hamm and Chris O’Dowd’s characters.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Jealousy | Bridesmaids Part 3

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Why does jealousy make us act so irrationally? In this episode, we chat about jealousy in films, how there seems to be more jealousy amongst women and how social media impacts jealousy and role modelling in younger generations.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Weddings | Bridesmaids Part 2

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Weddings are such a great setting for an entertaining film because of all the drama and chaos that usually unfolds! We’re both on our respective wedding journeys and chat about our experiences and wedding in film and tv.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Cringe Comedy | Bridesmaids Part 1

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Welcome to the summer of sisterhood! We’re continuing to chat about female friendships in film with “Bridesmaids”, talking about why it was so critically acclaimed and whether it still stands the test of time as a comedy. We also chat about the style of humour and our own personal preferences when it comes to comedy.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Farewell to the toxic men! | Thelma & Louise Part 4

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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We’re bidding toxic men adieu with this final part of “Thelma and Louise”! Listen in on our chat about the cathartic ending of this film and how Thelma and Louise tackle the toxic men around them.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Road Movies | Thelma & Louise Part 3

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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What are road movies? In this episode, we chat about the defining characteristics of a road movie that make them entertaining, particularly how they compare to the equally entertaining bottle movies. Also, stay tuned to the very end to hear our thoughts on “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning”!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Iconic Duos | Thelma & Louise Part 2

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 14:00:00 -0400

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Thelma and Louise are one of the most iconic duos in cinema! In this episode, we chat about why they work as a pair and what makes a duo great. We also discuss other iconic duos in film, podcasts and beyond.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Unintentional Gangster Awakening | Thelma & Louise Part 1

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 15:00:00 -0400

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Welcome to the summer of sisterhood films! As a fun segway, we’re watching Thelma and Louise become unintentional gangsters. In this episode, we chat about how their circumstances turned them into criminals, and we compare their gangster origin story to the gangsters we’ve encountered over the last few months, particularly our recent gangster duo, Bonnie and Clyde.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Girl Gangsters | Bonnie & Clyde Part 4

Thu, 29 May 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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In such a male dominated genre, we finally have our first proper girl gangster! We chat about how Bonnie compares with other female characters in this genre, and discuss the difference between a “girl gangster” and a “mob wife”. Also stay till the end for our final thoughts on the Bonnie & Clyde and the gangster genre in general.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

[SPECIAL] Mission Impossible

Thu, 22 May 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Is this really the end of the Mission Impossible franchise? Listen in on our chat about why we love Mission Impossible and our favourite moments of the franchise. We also postulate how the series might end (and whether it actually will!).

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Romance in Dangerous Situations | Bonnie & Clyde Part 3

Thu, 15 May 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Why do so many characters seem to fall in love when they’re in dangerous situations? We chat a bit about how our bodies work when we feel we’re in danger, and also how the romance between Bonnie and Clyde felt more authentic and respectful compared to other cinematic gangster romances.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Celebrity Gangsters | Bonnie & Clyde Part 2

Thu, 08 May 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Why were The Barrow Gang so popular? In this episode, we chat about the historical context of the film and particularly how Bonnie and Clyde leaned into the glamour of their crimical behaviour.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Bonnie & Clyde in Pop Culture | Bonnie & Clyde Part 1

Thu, 01 May 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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We’re going back in time for our last film of the gangster genre to “Bonnie & Clyde”. One of our oldest films we’ve watched on the podcast, we chat about how the duo have remained in mainstream pop culture.

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Manipulative Mentors | Training Day Part 4

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Why are gangster protagonists often so unlikeable? In this episode, we talk about how manipulation and gaslighting is a tactic used amongst gangsters who end up rising the ranks. We also chat about why Lara hasn’t had a great time in the gangster genre.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Corruption | Training Day Part 3

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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We’ve watched so many films with corrupt cops. In this episode, we chat about why corruption shows up in so many crime and drama films, and we explore why corruption across professions is interesting to watch.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Bottle Movies | Training Day Part 2

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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What is a “bottle movie” and why do we love them? In this episode, we chat about films that take place over a short period of time, exploring our favourite 24-hour films and why they’re fun to watch.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Cops & Gangs | Training Day Part 1

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Why are we watching “Training Day”? In this intro episode, we chat about how the film acts as an alternate perspective into the world of gangster movies. We also chat about what we thought about the film and it’s context set in the 2000s.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Gangsters & The American Dream | Scarface Part 4

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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What do all our gangster protagonists have in common? They’re all pretty power hungry. We reflect on why gangsters choose their paths, particularly how their ambition and recklessness snowball into a path of self-destruction.

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Banned Films | Scarface Part 3

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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Did you know that the 1930’s Scarface film was banned? In this episode, we chat about the main differences about the two films and how they reflect gangs in America. We also explore the subjective nature of banning and rating films.

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Money Making in Gangs | Scarface Part 2

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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How do gangs make money? In this episode, we chat about the types of money making avenues, and compare them over the three films we have watched. We also postulate about how modern gangs make money.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Disloyalty | Scarface Part 1

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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How did we find “Scarface”? In this episode, we chat about why the film didn’t work for us, particularly about the choice of protagonist and unlikeable characters. We also begin to compare “Scarface” with “The Godfather” and “Goodfellas”.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

[SPECIAL] Oscars 2025 (with Laura)

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 17:00:00 -0500

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We are back with our Oscars expert Laura, chatting about the 2025 Oscars that just around the corner. Which films do we think will win? And which ones were our favourites? Tune in to find out!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Gangster Films & the Oscars | Goodfellas Part 3

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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Why does the industry love gangster films so much? In this episode, we chat about gangster films’ complicated storylines and why it is often a genre that is seen favourably by the Academy. We also chat about why best picture matters and what an oscar bait film truly means.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Loyalty | Goodfellas Part 2

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 15:00:00 -0500

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Loyalty is key to the mafia - but how does it often play out in these films? In this episode, we talk about how loyalty is a double-edged sword in gangs and why most gangster films end with disloyalty and mistrust.

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Martin Scorsese | Goodfellas Part 1

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 19:00:00 -0500

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How did Goodfellas compare with The Godfather? In this episode, we talk about all things Martin Scorses - including his films, style and where he gets his inspiration. Tune in to find out whether we liked Goodfellas!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The Godfather in Pop Culture | The Godfather Part 4

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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Why is The Godfather so embedded in our pop culture? In this episode, we chat about the reasons why The Godfather is still discussed today, and how gangster films fascinate us as audience members.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Family | The Godfather Part 3

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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Family is a big part of the mafia, and it’s also what makes these stories enticing to watch. Who doesn’t love a family drama - particularly about rich people? We also chat about the mafia as a family business and how that differs to other organisations.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Masculinity (again) | The Godfather Part 2

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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It’s no secret that gangster films are violent and mostly feature only male characters. In this episode, we chat about how there are no female gangster films, discussing the forms of masculinity within the film and how it leads Michael to becoming The Godfather.

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Gangster Movies | The Godfather Part 1

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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Welcome to a new genre! We’re starting 2025 with a new film and new genre… gangster movies. And what better way to introduce the genre than by watching the most iconic gangster film of all, The Godfather. In this episode, we chat about what makes it iconic and introduce key themes found in gangster films.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

End of 2024 Special

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0500

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What were our top five films of 2024? And what are we looking forward to in 2025?

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Action Movie Locations | Hot Fuzz Part 4

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 07:00:00 -0500

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How does Hot Fuzz use its setting to its advantage? We chat about why action movies are usually set in cities and how the juxtaposition of Sandford makes the film even more humorous.

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Edgar Wright | Hot Fuzz Part 3

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 07:00:00 -0500

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We chat about Edgar Wright, his filmmaking style and background. Our conversation also leads us to discussing his broad range and his recent transition into thriller-horror films.

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Cop Movies | Hot Fuzz Part 2

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

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Why are there so many films and tv shows about cops? In this episode, we chat about why police make such fascinating subjects and how their role in society is perfect for the structure of tv shows and films.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Action Comedy | Hot Fuzz Part 1

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 07:00:00 -0500

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A fun one to end 2024 - with an action comedy, Hot Fuzz! We chat about the blending of two very entertaining genres, discussing how interpretations of comedic films change with wisdom and life experience, and the industry’s perception of comedies.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The “Dad” Action Protagonist | Gladiator Part 4

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0500

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Russell Crowe isn’t your stereotypical action protagonist - but why does it work for Gladiator? We also chat about the casting for Gladiator 2 and the sorts of actors who have played “dad” action protagonists.

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Ridley Scott | Gladiator Part 3

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0500

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What is our favourite Ridley Scott film? And why do people love his films? In this episode, we chat all things Ridley Scott, including key themes he explores and his filmmaking style.

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Hand to Hand Combat | Gladiator Part 2

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 16:00:00 -0500

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Hand to hand combat features throughout Gladiator, and is such a core part of the action genre. In this episode, we chat about different types of combat and what makes the fighting in Gladiator so epic.

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Historical Action | Gladiator Part 1

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0500

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Welcome to Wickediator month, where we are watching the original Gladiator! In this episode, we chat about our overall thoughts on the film and compare it to Indiana Jones - particularly in how historical action differs from the action adventure genre.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

[SPECIAL] Fall Film Festival 2024

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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Which films were our favourite at our film festivals? Listen in on our debrief about film festival season!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The Golden Age of Franchses | Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark Part 4

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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We couldn’t end this month without talking about George Lucas! Our conversation leads us to wonder if Star Wars and Indiana Jones were the golden age of franchises, and besides money, what makes franchises successful, enjoyable and rewatchable?

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Action Adventure Movies | Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark Part 3

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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Why don’t we have as many action adventure movies like Indiana Jones anymore? In this episode, we chat about how audience tastes have changed, and hypothesise why interest in adventurous action films may have waned.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Aging Protagonists in Franchises | Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark Part 2

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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How should franchises handle aging protagonists? In this episode, we talk about the aging celebrity in long running franchises and what franchises do when movie stars age out of their roles.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Why Indian Jones worked | Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark Part 1

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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What are the aspects of Indiana Jones that makes it such a beloved franchise? Is it Harrison Ford himself? In this episode, we talk about why it worked and how franchises reinvent themselves over time.

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Suspense in Films | Speed Part 4

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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Why do we find suspense engaging? In this episode, we talk about suspense across different genres - how they differ and when too much suspense might not be a good thing!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Keanu Reeves | Speed Part 3

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 17:00:00 -0400

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What is Keanu Reeves’ appeal? In this episode, we talk about the types of action movie stars, and how Keanu Reeves fits into the category.

Vulture “The Beatific Imperfection of Keanu Reeves in The Matrix, 25 Years Later”: https://www.vulture.com/article/the-matrix-keanu-reeves-invented-a-new-kind-of-action-star.html

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Romance through Trauma | Speed Part 2

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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Why are there so many movies where traumatic events encourage the main characters to fall in love? We discuss this traumatic and romantic trope, how it’s believable and why it might be one of our favourite romantic tropes.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Hostage Movies | Speed Part 1

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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Why are hostage movies fascinating? This month, we’re watching one of Lara’s favourite films, “Speed”. And, interestingly enough, it’s also a movie featuring a hostage situation, where an ensemble cast is trapped on a bus. We chat through what makes this sub genre interesting and bring up some other examples of movies with hostage sequences.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

[SPECIAL] Summer Films / Pre-Festival Chat

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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The films of summer 2024 left us a bit underwhelmed - was it because there wasn’t a “Barbenheimer”? And also, what do we think about the “It Ends With Us” drama? We also chat about the upcoming weeks of festival season and the films we are most looking forward to watching.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

What makes a great car chase scene? | Fast Five

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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The Fast & Furious franchise is all about cars and stunts with cars. We review the car chase scenes in Fast Five, talking about why they worked and didn’t work, and generally chat about the use car chase scenes in action films.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Action Villains | Fast Five

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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Are action villains memorable? In this episode, we chat about the types of bad guys in action movies and the increasingly convoluted plots of modern action films.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Heist Movies | Fast Five

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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One of the main reasons why we chose to watch the fifth installment of the “Fast & Furious” franchise was because “Fast Five” is a heist film. And we love heist films! In this episode, we chat all things heist, including the stock characters and why they’re great.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The Fast & Furious Franchise | Fast Five

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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Our first Fast & Furious movie - so what did we think? In this episode, we chat about our overall impressions of the franchise and why it’s one of the biggest and longest standing franchises in the action genre.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Steampunk | Furiosa Part 4

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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What is steampunk? In this episode, we chat about the aesthetic of Mad Max and how, while odd and ridiculous at times, it’s perhaps a more truthful depiction of the future compared to the sleek, clean and clutter-free styles of other futuristic films.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Dystopia in Action | Furiosa Part 3

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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How do dystopic films differ in action compared with sci-fi? We also chat about how the antagonists differ in Fury Road and Furiosa, and the portrayal of Furiosa.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

“Mad Max” the Franchise | Furiosa Part 2

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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What is a franchise? This episode, we broaden our discussion to the entire Mad Max series, talking about the gossip on the set of “Fury Road”, the increasing popularity of the franchise and how it’s faring compared to other franchises.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Female Leads in Action | Furiosa Part 1

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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We couldn’t just skip past Mad Max: Furiosa! We open this month with a chat about female leads in action movies, the limited solo female led movies and our thoughts on Furiosa herself.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Theme Music Credit: Ultra Lights by Stefan Kartenberg (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/JeffSpeed68/61225 Ft: Javolenus

Toy Movies | Bumblebee Part 4

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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With the success of Barbie last year, we’re now seeing so many more toy movies being green lit. But how have toy movies changed over the years? And who do we think toy movies are actually made for?

Multi-talented Actors | Bumblebee Part 3

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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Has Hailee Steinfeld been typecast all throughout her acting career? We begin our conversation with a chat about the career of Hailee Steinfeld before moving to the wider industry, looking at multi-discipline actors and musicians.

Transformers Lore & VFX | Bumblebee Part 2

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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We had so many questions about while watching the Bumblebee - like how do they reproduce? Are they a species or are they robots? In this episode, we do a bit of research into Transformers lore before moving onto a chat about the visual effects of the film.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The best Transformers film?! | Bumblebee Part 1

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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Kicking off a new genre with another Hailee Steinfeld film, Bumblebee! Did you know this Transfomers film is the highest rated of the franchise? In this episode, we chat about whether it deserves it’s high rating and what we liked and not liked about the film.

Our Conclusions on the Western Genre | True Grit Part 4

Thu, 30 May 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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In our last episode talking about the Western genre, we talk about whether our perceptions have changed and the highs and lows of the season. We also wrap up True Grit with our final thoughts and a rating.

Feminist Films | True Grit Part 3

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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Is True Grit a feminist film? In this episode, we chat about what makes a film feminist, and how gender plays a role in making True Grit as good as it is.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Woman with a Camera Movie Summit: https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=woman-with-a-movie-camera-summit-2024&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=

Theme Music Credit: Ultra Lights by Stefan Kartenberg (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/JeffSpeed68/61225 Ft: Javolenus

Tween Actors | True Grit Part 2

Thu, 16 May 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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Part of the reason why True Grit is such an accessible Western is because it’s from the perspective of a tween. In this episode, we chat about our favourite child actors and a gap in stories from the tween perspective.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Lawful vs Lawless | True Grit Part 1

Thu, 09 May 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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We’re ending our Western season true to form - with a strong female character, which is super rare in the Western genre. This episode brings us full circle back to the Coen brothers, where No Country For Old Men also featured curious characters who dip in and out of law.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

[SPECIAL] 200 Episodes!

Thu, 02 May 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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Wow, we’ve hit 200 episodes since we started this podcast four years ago! Listen in on our reminiscing and also what we think our next genre should be next.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Neo-westerns | Brokeback Mountain Part 4

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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What are neo-westerns, and how do they differ from spaghetti and revisionist westerns? We also chat about why we personally prefer neo-westerns and how Brokeback Mountain explores the cowboy stereotype through their relationships with various other characters.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The Impact of Brokeback Mountain | Brokeback Mountain Part 3

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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In this episode, we talk about how “Brokeback Mountain” impacted queer cinema and the film industry in general. We also draw comparisons to the recent “All of Us Strangers” and how both films have many similarities expressed in different ways.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Queerness in Hyper-masculine Contexts | Brokeback Mountain Part 2

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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With the western being such a masculine genre, we draw parallels with other hyper-masculine arenas of life, such as sports and the military, and discuss the impact of those arenas on the queer community and the performance of masculinity and heightened male emotion within those parts of society.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Gay Cowboys! | Brokeback Mountain Part 1

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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What is the definition of a cowboy? In this episode, we finally learn what a cowboy means and come to the conclusion why gay cowboys actually make a lot of sense! We also compare the three queer characters from “Brokeback Mountain” and “The Power of the Dog”, including how they differ and how their upbringing may have changed their attitudes.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Toxic Masculinity | The Power of the Dog Part 4

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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In this episode we focus on Benedict Cumberbatch’s character, Phil, and how his performance of masculinity ultimately caused his own downfall. We also question the true villain of the film and talk about the shifting power dynamics within the family at the end.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Revenge | The Power of the Dog Part 3

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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What are our favourite revenge films? **SPOILERS INSIDE THE EPISODE** We chat about the ending, whether it is a satisfying revenge film and what makes a great revenge film.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Class in Westerns | The Power of the Dog Part 2

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0400

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Why isn’t class often explored in the western genre? We also chat about the character of George and how his naivety caused the events of “The Power of the Dog”.

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Jane Campion | The Power of the Dog Part 1

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0500

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We’re back to a more conventional Western film… and boy, have we got opinions on “The Power of the Dog”. Listen in on our conversation about Jane Campion, our overall thoughts on the film and why we chose “The Power of the Dog” for the podcast.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

[SPECIAL] Oscars 2024 (with special guests!)

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 07:00:00 -0500

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Joined once again by Laura and Kyle, this episode is all about the Oscars. Listen in on some hot takes and predictions for this year’s Academy Awards!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Why “Back to the Future” is popular | Back to the Future III Part 4

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 07:00:00 -0500

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In our final episode, we chat about what makes this franchise special and why it continues to be popular. We also postulate about whether there would be a remake and how that could work.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

VFX Past & Present | Back to the Future III Part 3

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 07:00:00 -0500

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How has visual effects and CGI developed over the years? We also chat about whether good visual effects matters, especially when watching older films.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Time Travel | Back to the Future III Part 2

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 07:00:00 -0500

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How have we not talked about time travel until now? In this episode, we chat about what constitutes as a time travel film and what genres are often paired with time travel plot lines.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Did we change genres? | Back to the Future III Part 1

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 07:00:00 -0500

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Hold up - why are we watching Back to the Future? To our surprise, the third installation of the Back to the Future franchise was a western, because Mcfly and Doc end up travelling back in time to the 1850’s. We talk about how we liked the film and how it compares to the first iconic film.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The Revisionist Western | Django Unchained Part 4

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 15:00:00 -0500

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What is a revisionist western? In this episode, we chat about how Django Unchained falls under the subgenre revisionist western, and how it differs from other westerns. We also chat about films and their contexts both during production and upon release - and how that influences what we think about it.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Why isn’t slavery depicted in many Westerns? | Django Unchained Part 3

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 07:00:00 -0500

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Even though westerns are set around the same time as the civil war, slavery isn’t often portrayed in the genres. Why is that? In this episode, we chat about how changing contemporary audience interests and attention spans may have something to do with the complexity of storytelling in the modern day western genre.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Auteurs | Django Unchained Part 2

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 07:00:00 -0500

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Why are some directors, like Quentin Tarantino, considered auteurs? We chat all about auteurs in this episode - from notable filmmakers to our favourite auteurs.

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Quentin Tarantino | Django Unchained Part 1

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 07:00:00 -0500

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We’re starting 2024 by challenging ourselves to watch a film by a director that we don’t usually watch - Quentin Tarantino! What do we think of him and did we like Django Unchained?

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

[SPECIAL] 2023 End of Year Picks

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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Another year, another top 5! Listen in to our top picks this year and what films we’re looking forward to next year.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Loose Alliances | The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Part 4

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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Our chat about the culmination of the film and its iconic shootout scene leads us to talk about the loose alliances of the three main characters in the film, and whether “The Good” (i.e. Blondie) was actually good?

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Lawlessness | The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Part 3

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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Why is there so much killing in Westerns? We chat about the characters’ lack of morals and lawlessness in Westerns - why it exists and how it makes the film feel more masculine in nature.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Western Protagonists | The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Part 2

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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Clint Eastwood is one of the most iconic Western actor - but why? What do we look for in the Western protagonist? In this episode, we chat about the qualities and look of a Western protagonist and why certain actors seem better matched to portray these characters.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Spaghetti Westerns | The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Part 1

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

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One of our oldest and most challenging films we’ve watched on the podcast: Sergio Leone’s “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”. This episode, we chat about our impressions of the film and chat about the sub-genre, Spaghetti Westerns.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The Ending + Adapting for Westerns | No Country For Old Men Part 4

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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We had to talk about the ending - was it satisfying or surprising? Our conversation also leads us back to adaptations and the types of narrative adjustments that are made for more mainstream content (ex. Harry Potter).

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Psychopaths | No Country For Old Men Part 3

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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We couldn’t talk about “No Country For Old Men” without dedicating an entire episode talking Anton Chigurh and Javier Bardem’s phenomenal, bone-chilling performance of a psychopath. In this episode, we also chat about other psychopaths in film, and how the introduction (or lack of back story) of Anton Chigurh influenced our experience of the film.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The Coen Brothers | No Country For Old Men Part 2

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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Coen or Safdie? In this episode, we chat about all things Coen brothers - from their filmmaking style to their background and interest in westerns. Our conversation also leads us to a wider conversation about artistic partnerships and relationships.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Masculine films | No Country For Old Men Part 1

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Welcome to our Western season - and what a departure from the last few films we’ve been watching on the pod! We chat about whether the western genre is a more masculine drama and discuss our initial thoughts on No Country For Old Men.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Feminist Characters Over the Years | 10 Things I Hate About You Part 4

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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In our final episode of book adaptations, we talk about one unifying feature of all of the stories we’ve watched the last few months: strong female leads. From our personal favourites to discussing the similarities and differences between them all, listen in on our conversation about feminist characters over the years and our wrap up of book adaptations.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Sisterhood | 10 Things I Hate About You Part 3

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Before Anna and Elsa, there was Biana and Kat, because at the heart of “10 Things I Hate About You” is a story about sisterhood. We talk about sisterhood stories and the different forms of sisterhood in film, tv and our media - and why that’s important.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Rebel Attitude | 10 Things I Hate About You Part 2

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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What better way to first meet a character than for them to enter into a scene with “Bad Reputation” blasting in their car? That’s how we first meet Kat in “10 Things I Hate About You”. This episode, we talk about rebels and the act of rebellion over the years both on screen and off.

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Problems within Problems | 10 Things I Hate About You Part 1

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Our last film of our book adaptation theme is “10 Things I Hate About You”. We chat about the story structure of the script and the Shakespearean nature of “problems within problems” - particularly in his comedies. Along the way, we couldn’t resist talking about Nolan and action films - and we snuck in two other TIFF films we watched at the end.

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[SPECIAL] Toronto International Film Festival 2023

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Having just gotten back from TIFF, we chat about our thoughts on this year’s festival, including the lineup and how it felt without actors attending the festival. Stay tuned to also find out our top 5 films of TIFF!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Romantic Tropes | Shakespeare in Love Part 4

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Within “Shakespeare in Love”, we can find many romantic and character tropes in the film - leading us to have a wider conversation about tropes and how it affects our experience watching a film.

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Why do we still study Shakespeare? | Shakespeare in Love Part 3

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Shakespeare continues to be studied in schools and performed on stages around the world. Why is that? In this episode, we chat about the impact of Shakespeare on our education and society - and how it influences our culture over time.

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Old vs New Adaptations | Shakespeare in Love Part 2

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Shakespeare in Love is one of the older films we’ve watched recently, and of the period pieces it’s the oldest one. How does it compare with the other period adaptations we’ve watched? And, what does it say about changing audience tastes over time?

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Interpretative Biopics | Shakespeare in Love Part 1

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Taking a step back in time, we’re watching Shakespeare in Love this month! In this episode, we chat about the similarities and differences between Shakespeare in Love and Emily, particularly about the interpretations of both writers’ lives.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

New wave biopics | Emily Part 4

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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From Emily to Oppenheimer, we’re seeing a trend in biopics lately, where it’s less about events or products or objects, but more so about the person behind the craft or science. What makes this take on biopics work and why are we so fascinated by these people?

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Nepo-babies | Emily Part 3

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Were Charlotte, Emily and Anne nepo-siblings? We couldn’t resist loosely tying in a conversation about nepo-babies into this film, because some sources have said that Charlotte Bronte might have helped with Emily Bronte’s success. And also it’s always fun to talk about nepo-babies!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Fake History | Emily Part 2

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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How accurate was “Emily”? As it turns out, not very! We chat about all the inconsistencies and how the film is maybe “fake news”? Our conversation also shifts to why the fictionalised aspects of Emily didn’t work, and when this technique does work in other films.

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How it Compares | Emily Part 1

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Moving from Charlotte Bronte to Emily Bronte - except instead of watching Wuthering Heights, we decided to watch the 2022 film, Emily - an interpretative film about Emily’s life and the influences of Wuthering Heights. In this episode, we chat about our thoughts on the film and how it compares to all the other period pieces we’ve watched lately.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

[SPECIAL] Oppenheimer

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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What did we think of Oppenheimer? This episode, we chat about the latest Nolan release, our expectations going in and how it compares to his other films. Tune in to see if any of us did Barbenheimer!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Falling For Your Boss | Jane Eyre Part 4

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Lara introduces her quest to find more movies where governesses fall for their boss, before we chat about the character of Mr. Rochester and marriage (again) in Jane Eyre. More specifically, we chat about the plot twist in the film and how we feel about the ending of the story.

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Spooky Sound of Music | Jane Eyre Part 3

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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This episode, we chat about how strangely similar Jane Eyre is to (surprisingly) The Sound of Music, leading us to a chat about governesses and the subtle commentary on class within Jane Eyre. We also talk about how Jane’s role as a governess made her a match for Mr. Rochester, tying it in with the “falling for your boss” trope.

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Setting as a Character | Jane Eyre Part 2

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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When you watch “Jane Eyre” it feels completely different to watching an Austen adaptation. In this episode, we explore why that might be and how setting plays a role in the film, particularly comparing and contrasting with other similar films.

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The Brontë Sisters vs Austen | Jane Eyre Part 1

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Bye bye Austen, we’ll miss you, but before we say our final farewell, and welcome in the Brontë sisters, we thought we’d do a quick comparison or showdown of these amazing female British writers. In this episode, we talk about thematic and tonal differences as well as similarities across Austen and Brontë stories.

Reference:

The Guardian, “Jane Austen v Emily Brontë: who's the queen of English literature?” https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/feb/28/jane-austen-v-emily-bronte-queen-english-literature

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Marriage | Pride & Prejudice Part 4

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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We chat through the different types of marital relationships found in the film, exploring how Jane Austen presents the marriages in the story. Our chat also touches on the financial side of marriage, whether the marriage types still exist in our modern society and marriage as an institution.

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Love vs. Like | Pride & Prejudice Part 3

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Do you believe in love at first sight? In this episode, we compare Elizabeth and Jane’s relationships, discussing how quickly Jane seems to fall “in love” with Mr. Bingley. We talk about how unsatisfying it is when there’s no chase, but also how it feels so much harder to find love in the modern world.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Mr. Darcy | Pride & Prejudice Part 2

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 15:00:00 -0400

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Before Edward Cullen, there was Darcy… This episode we chat about iconic Mr. Darcy and how he has become larger than life in mainstream culture. We also compare the Darcy’s (Colin Firth vs Matthew MacFadyen), which portrayal we prefer and potentially why they are so different. We end our conversation talking about why Darcy has so many fangirls and also sneak in a little bit of Twilight in our conversation.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Jane Austen | Pride & Prejudice Part 1

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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We couldn’t stroll on past Jane Austen without talking about Pride & Prejudice! And what better way to introduce Pride & Prejudice than talking about Jane Austen herself? This episode, we chat about the themes in her books and which book we think will be adapted next.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The British Film Industry | Emma Part 2

Thu, 25 May 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Period pieces are usually done by a British cast and crew - which leads us to a conversation about the British Film Industry and how the talent pool really isn’t that big. We also chat about two distinct styles of British content: period and gritty, industrial styles - and why those styles may have emerged.

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Cher vs Emma | Emma Part 1

Thu, 18 May 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Who did it best? Which version of Emma do we like more? Listen in on our conversation about the 2020 version of Emma and how it compares with Clueless. We also talk about the ways Cher and Emma are similar and yet different, particularly the differences in portrayal of popularity from the two eras.

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Interpretive Adaptations | Clueless Part 2

Thu, 11 May 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Clueless isn’t a completely faithful adaptation - but is that a bad thing? In this episode, we chat about what makes a film a loose or interpretive adaptation and why we want more of them! We also give examples of stories that are constantly being loosely adapted and why those stories inspire so many scripts and stories.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

How Clueless has stood the test of time | Clueless Part 1

Thu, 04 May 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Moving to the 90’s, we’re ending our teen movie run with Clueless, which we’ve been really looking forward to rewatching! In this episode, we chat about what makes Clueless so fun to watch and how it still feels super relevant to young women now.

Reference:
Big Think: “The friendship recession | Richard Reeves” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpOan0hqdNA&ab_channel=BigThink

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Teen movies in pop culture | The Breakfast Club Part 4

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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How did we find out about The Breakfast Club? Easy A? Pitch Perfect? We talk about how The Breakfast Club is not only a “popular” movie, but also how it is engrained in our pop culture. Our conversation leads to a wider conversation about how life imitates art and vice versa within the teen movie genre.

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Watching the “classics” | The Breakfast Club Part 3

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Do the “classic films” always land decades later? In this episode, we chat about watching old films and why we might have a bias towards watching newer films. We also talk about the genres that seem to work better over time, and discuss our favourite “old” films.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

John Hughes | The Breakfast Club Part 2

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Are you a diehard John Hughes fan? We chat about why John Hughes movies still matter, and why The Breakfast Club became so popular in the 80s. Our conversation also includes how John Hughes takes the teenager’s perspective seriously and how the topic of the parent-teenager relationship will always be relatable.

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The OG teen movie | The Breakfast Club Part 1

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Cheryl finally watched The Breakfast Club - so let’s talk about it! We chat about how this film started the teen movie genre and how it introduced the teen movie character tropes, even including a makeover! We also chat about whether it was the OG teen movie for us.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Sad movies | The Fault in Our Stars Part 4

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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Why are sad movies so satisfying? Do people seek sad movies? In this episode, we talk about the ending of The Fault in Our Stars and how it’s sad yet still satisfying. Our conversation of sad movies leads us to talking about sad movie experiences.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Book people | The Fault in Our Stars Part 3

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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There are lots of YA book adaptations that feature main protagonists who are book people. In this episode, we chat about whether that truly represents the lives of real teens and when the over-intellectual “book people” stereotype doesn’t work as a character.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

John Green + vlogbrothers | The Fault in Our Stars Part 2

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0400

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We couldn’t resist spending a full episode talking about John Green and his brother Hank Green, who together form the vlogbrothers. In this episode, we chat about why we love the vlogbrothers and the community of Nerdfighters.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

[SPECIAL] Oscars 2023 (with special guests!)

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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Back again by popular demand! Lara and guests Laura and Kyle chat about the 2023 Oscars, including any Academy snubs, their favourite films of the 2022 season and predictions. Listen in on all the hot takes and prediction trends for your Oscars party ballots this year!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Not Your Typical Teen Movie | The Fault in Our Stars Part 1

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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We are BIG fans of the vlogbrothers here at WTF with us! And, we couldn’t finish up our teen movie season without chatting about The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. In this episode, we chat about how The Fault in Our Stars is not your typical teen movie, but also why we think it became so popular with our generation of teens.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Why are there so many high school films? | The Duff Part 4

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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In this ep, we chat about the entertainment value of teen movies, and how all the characters are playing a part of the parody of high school. The conversation also includes whether realism matters and why these movies are so satisfying, especially for the teen audience who are all trying to grow up in the real world.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The Romcom Junior | The Duff Part 3

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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Why are all the female teens in this genre so boy-obsessed? In this episode, we chat about whether teen movies influence real life or whether teen movies are inspired by what teen girls really want. That being said, if it is truly representative of real life, why would teenagers want to be a relationship? How does coming of age factor into our need for a relationship?

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Teen movie archetypes | The Duff Part 2

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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How realistic are teen movies? In this episode, we talk about the idea of social capital in high school and how they affect the popularity of teen cliques. We also chat about whether cliques as portrayed in teen movies are real - do dumb jocks really exist?

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The “Relatable” Main Protagonist | The Duff Part 1

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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Are teen protgaonists really that relatable? Welcome to The Duff! We love this movie, not only because the script is hilarious but also because the main character Bea is one of the most relatable protagonists in teen films. This prompts us to chat about how most protagonists are aspirational rather than relatable.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

How did Twilight become so popular? | Twilight Part 4

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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Now, when we re-watch or think back to Twilight, a lot of us cringe at teenage us and our obsession with the series. But, how did it become so popular? In this episode, we chat about how book series become popular and in particular why timing mattered for the rise of Twilight.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart | Twilight Part 3

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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How have the main actors in the franchise fared post-Twilight? In this lighter (juicier) episode, we talk about the romance between Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, their careers since they wrapped the Twilight series, and why Taylor Lautner hasn’t made it big in comparison.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

First person narrative in film | Twilight Part 2

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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Do narrated films work or do they come across as cheesy? This episode, we chat about first person storytelling in Twilight and more broadly, talk about whether it works in film compared to books. Our conversation leads us also to talk more broadly about the use of exposition in films, specifically in Nolan films.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Do “fangirls” exist anymore? | Twilight Part 1

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 07:00:00 -0500

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We are starting 2023 off with a bang, Twilight-style! And you can’t talk about Twilight without talking about its fans. In this episode, we chat about the term “fangirl”, whether it’s still used now, and more generally, comparing “the fangirl” to other types of fans.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

2022 Wrap Up | End of Year Special

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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What were our favourite films of 2022? How did we feel about this year of filmmaking? Keep listening until the end to find out what our most look forward to films are next year!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The next big teen franchise | Mockingjay Part 2B

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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What is the next big teen franchise? And, will teen dystopia make a comeback? This episode, we chat about how much timing matters for teen series to become popular. And, we postulate whether Divergent was always going to fail as the follow up series after The Hunger Games. Lastly, we touch upon the upcoming prequel and how we feel about it.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Snow, Coin and Epilogues | Mockingjay Part 2A

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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Who would you rather, Snow or Coin? This episode we chat about the demise of Snow and Coin and dystopian story endings. Our conversation leads us to a conversation about the movie’s epilogue, comparing it to the Harry Potter epilogue and why Mockingjay’s epilogue works so well.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Two-parter releases | Mockingjay Part 1B

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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What do we think about Mockingjay being split into part 1 and 2? In this episode, we chat about how corporate money making might not be the worst thing. We also bring in other examples of two part releases in other movie franchises and TV series - to chat more about the two parter release schedule.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Love triangles | Mockingjay Part 1A

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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Are you Team Peeta or Team Gale? This episode, we chat about love triangles in general and the love triangle that exists in The Hunger Games series. We also discuss why we think the trope exists in teen dystopia, specifically within stories aimed at female teen audiences.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The best book to movie adaptation ever | Catching Fire Part 2

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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Why is Catching Fire the most well received of The Hunger Games series? What do we think about the film and where do we stand on the success of the film? In this episode, we chat about our thoughts on Catching Fire overall and how it compares with the other films in the series. We also chat about book to movie adaptations and how adaption decisions are made in the production process.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Hope (ft. Amy Adams) | Catching Fire Part 1

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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Why is hope important in dystopic films, and what draws us to characters that instill hope in us? In this episode, we talk about the ending of The Hunger Games and how the survival of Katniss and Peeta carry through as beacons of hope into Catching Fire and the rest of the seres. We chat about the importance of hope in films overall and how hopeful endings may differ for films targeted at different audiences.

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Panem and the parallels with American society | The Hunger Games Part 2

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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This week, we chat about society within The Hunger Games, and the parallels some parts of it have with real life. We also chat about Katniss and how the story is written so that she is someone we’d root for. But most importantly, are we Team Gale or Team Peeta?

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

May the odds be ever in your favour | The Hunger Games Part 1

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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We’re kicking off an 8 week special series about all four movies of The Hunger Games franchise! This week, we chat about teen dystopias - the tropes that exist in the genre and dive slightly into what makes The Hunger Games special compared to the other franchises in the genre.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

SPECIAL | 2022 Fall Film Fest Phenomenon!

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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After watching some big movies at TIFF and the London Film Festival, we chat about our top 5 films from our respective festivals, digging into what the films are about and why they made our top 5.

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Anarchy | The Purge Part 3

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Why is anarchy scary? We wrap up The Purge by talking about the anarchy and chaos in horror movies - and why we might feel scared of it. In the episode, we also chat about dystopian movie worlds, and why we might not have believed in this version of America in The Purge, despite it being more realistic than other dystopic films.

References & Further Reading:

Complex “A Sociologist Discusses the Possibility of “The Purge” Happening in Real Life”: https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2014/07/sociologist-the-purge-real-life-possibility-interview

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Why masks are creepy | The Purge Part 2

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Some of the most iconic moments in horror include a villain with a mask on. Why are masks scary? In this episode, we chat about which ones are the scariest and why not seeing a face is creepy. We also get into a side tangent about dressing up for Halloween and which costume we think will be popular this year.

References & Further Reading:

Den of Geek “Top 21 Scariest Horror Movie Masks”: https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/top-21-scariest-horror-movie-masks/#:~:text=Sometimes%20they%20serve%20to%20hide,frightening%20in%20its%20own%20right

Literary Hub “The Terror Behind the Mask”: https://lithub.com/the-terror-behind-the-mask/

The New York Times “Horror Masks Are Never Just About the Monster”: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/23/movies/halloween-horror-masks.html

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Why The Purge keeps going on | The Purge Part 1

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Would The Purge work in real life? This month, we end our horror season with the contemporary franchise The Purge. In this episode, we chat about our thoughts on the first movie, whether we enjoyed it and why it has become such a big franchise in the genre.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

[SPECIAL] Scream Queens

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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To finish off September, we watched the first couple episodes of Ryan Murphy’s “Scream Queens”. We chat first impressions (for Cheryl) and how it compares to Scream, which partly inspired the series. In the episode, we also chat about whether horror works for tv shows, and whether audiences can or want to remain scared for several weeks of a show’s run.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Why are slasher movies so popular? | Scream Part 4

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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What’s scary about a slasher movie compared to supernatural, social or psychological horror? In this episode, we compare horror movie types and discuss potentially why slasher movies are more satisfying to watch. In our comparison, we also talk about the amount of “buying in” we have to do with each type of horror movie, and why that matters.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The final girl phenomenon | Scream Part 3

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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What is the “final girl” phenomenon? In this episode, we chat about this horror movie trope, why it exists and how it works within horror-specific storylines. We also chat about how it was a symbol of female empowerment in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, and whether the “final girl” has become outdated now in 2022.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

How to survive a horror movie | Scream Part 2

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Would you survive a horror movie? In this episode, we chat about horror movie tropes, and how Scream uses our understanding of horror movies to toy with our expectations. Want to know our our hot tips on how to survive a horror movie? Listen in on our conversation to find out!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Do you like scary movies? | Scream Part 1

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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What made Scream so successful? This week, we chat about one of the most important horror movies of all time, Scream, one of the highest-grossing horror films of all time. We talk first impressions of the film (by Cheryl) and chat about how it still remains relevant and creepy over 20 years later.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

And best picture goes to… | Parasite Part 4

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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…Parasite! In this episode, we chat about the reception of Parasite and how its Best Picture win has impacted the industry in the last couple years. We also chat briefly about Roma, how it might have paved the way for Parasite, but why it ultimately didn’t win.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

The rise of Korean culture and content | Parasite Part 3

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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In this episode, we chat about the rise of Korean culture in Western culture, including increased interest in k-beauty, Korean food, and idol culture. We end the episode with a quick chat about the overall increase in Asian American perspectives in film and TV, and whether that was in parallel to or fueled by this new wave of Korean culture.

References:

USA Today “This is America: ‘Squid Game,’ K-beauty and BTS - What’s so special about Korean pop culture?”: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/10/21/squid-game-bts-k-beauty-why-korean-pop-culture-making-waves/8437852002/

TIFF Summer of Seoul: https://tiff.net/tiff-celebrates-the-best-of-new-korean-cinema-this-summer

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Bong Joon-Ho | Parasite Part 2

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400

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What do you think of Bong Joon-Ho and his filmmaking? In this episode, we chat about our thoughts on Bong Joon-Ho and compare him to other filmmakers we have discussed in the past. Listen in on our conversation about what we think about his films, what we think about his style and our theories on why 2020 was his moment in Hollywood.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Is Parasite scary? | Parasite Part 1

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Is Parasite a scary film? In this episode, we chat about how Bong Joon-Ho’s Parasite is so terrifying, despite having no major jump-scares or traditional horror characteristics. After Jordan Peele month, we also compare Parasite with Get Out and discuss the similarities and differences of both films.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

What makes new wave horror scary | Get Out (Jordan Peele Month)

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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What was horror like before the new wave of horror movies we currently see now? In this episode, we chat about how the genre has changed, and we compare the characteristics of previous and contemporary horror movies. We also chat about how filmmakers like Jordan Peele have transcended the horror genre.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Get Out vs Us | Get Out (Jordan Peele Month)

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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PSA: “Nope” is coming out tomorrow! In this last countdown episode, we compare “Get Out” and “Us”, and we discuss predictions for “Nope”, which is coming out this weekend! We also note how Jordan Peele might be the Christopher Nolan of the horror genre, and how his name has become the pull for his latest movie.

Reference:

Screen Rant “5 Things Us Did Better Than Get Out (And 5 Things Get Out Did Better)”: https://screenrant.com/jordan-peele-get-out-better-movie-us/

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

The new wave of horror movies | Get Out (Jordan Peele Month)

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Why are we so much more excited about the horror genre these days? From “Get Out” to “Hereditary” and “A Quiet Place”, we chat about the new wave, “elevated horror” (not coined by us) and how it’s changed the horror genre. We also tie it in back to our last episode’s discussion about comedy and horror, and how although less “scary” aesthetically speaking (and therefore perhaps more accessible), these movies might not be as accessible to as wide of an audience as we might think.

References:

BBC “How Jordan Peele redefined Horror films forever | Inside Cinema - BBC”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnL8lX52gPo

Reporter “MODERN HORROR: HOW A GENRE GETS ELEVATED”: https://reporter.rit.edu/culture/modern-horror-how-genre-gets-elevated

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Comedy & Horror - same same, but different? | Get Out (Jordan Peele Month)

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Welcome to Jordan Peele month! In the weeks leading up to “Nope”, we will be chatting about all things Jordan Peele. Our month starts with “Get Out” and a comparison between comedy and horror. We chat about why the storytelling techniques in comedy are so transferable to storytelling in the horror genre.

Reference:

Sidenote by AsapSCIENCE “Humour: what makes something funny?”: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/sidenote-by-asapscience/id1383086982?i=1000501832321

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

How sci-fi movies hold up over time | Ex_Machina Part 4

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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As our understanding of technology shifts and evolves, what sci-fi movies stand the test of time? In this episode, we chat about why despite changes in science and technology older sci-fi can still remain beloved and timeless. We also chat what science or technology will be featured most in the next wave of sci-fi films.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

SPECIAL | Westworld

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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We couldn’t talk AI without chatting about Westworld - just in time, right before the season 4 premiere this weekend! In this episode, we share our thoughts on the show upon this re-watch compared to when the show first aired. We also compare Westworld and Ex_Machina, the movie we’re watching this month, and discuss the similarities between both stories.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Could AI’s be convicted in the future? | Ex_Machina Part 3

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Is Ava culpable for the crimes she’s done at the end of the film? In this episode, we start by chatting about how the film influences how the audiences feel about the characters through the male gaze. Our conversation then turns to whether Ava should be considered a bad character if her actions were pre-determined by the coding that Nathan created for her.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Bias in tech | Ex_Machina Part 2

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Who do we build technology for? In this episode, we talk about the biases within the tech industry and how the film explores the this topic. We also chat about the gendered technology we interact with (some that we interact with on a daily basis) and how historical biases influence the way technology is built.

References:

World Economic Forum “ This is why AI has a gender problem”: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/06/this-is-why-ai-has-a-gender-problem/

Screen Rant “Ex Machina's Alternate Ending Explained”: https://screenrant.com/ex-machina-movie-alternate-ending-explained/

Paste Magazine “A Moral Question: Gender and (Re)production in A.I. Artificial Intelligence 20 Years Later”: https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/ai-artificial-intelligence-gender-reproduction/

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Who is the villain in Ex_Machina? | Ex_Machina Part 1

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Who is to blame for what happened in Ex_Machina? In this episode, we start our Ex_Machina conversation with a chat about the power dynamics within the three main characters within the film. We also talk about how the film showcases the themes of power, influence and ego in the tech industry.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

100th Episode Special (+ Wall-E final thoughts)

Thu, 26 May 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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In this celebratory 100th episode, we look back on the film genres we’ve talked about and discuss films that we didn’t get a chance to chat about. We also talk about potential genres we’ll talk about in the future and shout out two films that we love but that don’t naturally come up in conversation. The start of the episode also includes our final thoughts on Wall-E.

Spiels on Reels: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb7OrCuVpVFNxaA8DyY__mw

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Is our future really that bleak? | Wall-E Part 3

Thu, 19 May 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Why do most films seem to present us with a hopeless future? In this episode, we chat about why most films seem to paint bleak futures, the demise of Earth or the end of the human race. We also talk about why there is a lack of optimism in sci-fi, documentaries and beyond. Lastly, we chat about utopias and how those stories usually reveal themselves as dystopic societies.

References:

Vlogbrothers “Are You Stuck In The Sad Gap”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbPY2hyU3zk&ab_channel=vlogbrothers

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

The AI POV + AI romance | Wall-E Part 2

Thu, 12 May 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Do AI romances work on screen? In this episode, we chat about Wall-E and Eve’s romance and how that differs from a human-AI romance. Our conversation also turns to the unique perspective an AI protagonist brings to a story and the unique perspective we experience from various Pixar films.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Do animated sci-fi movies work? | Wall-E Part 1

Thu, 05 May 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Was Wall-E successful as a sci-fi film? And, how does Wall-E work for both the adult and kid audiences? In this episode, we chat about whether animated sci-fi movies work, and whether we think Wall-E has a happy ending. We also chat about how sci-fi tropes and storylines can work for both adults and children.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Sacrifice Tropes in Sci-fi | Interstellar Part 4

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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How is sacrifice used in storytelling and when is it most successful? In this episode, we talk about the act of sacrifice in real life and how a person’s sacrificial act might impact their loved ones. We also chat about Matt Damon’s role in this film, and how sacrifice that doesn’t result in death may impact the character’s mental state after the sacrificial act.

References:

All The Tropes “Heroic Sacrifice”: https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Heroic_Sacrifice

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

How realistic does sci-fi need to be? | Interstellar Part 3

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Even though the film felt slightly fantastical, Lara explains that a lot of Interstellar is based on real science. We chat about whether realism is important for the sci-fi genre, and space movies in particular. This conversation leads to a chat about other genres, like true crime, and the importance of having the right balance of realism and entertainment.

References:

Den of Geek “Interstellar: Kip Thorne and Jonathan Nolan Talk Science Behind the Movie”: https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/interstellar-kip-thorne-and-jonathan-nolan-talk-science-behind-the-movie/

TIME “What's the Most Realistic Movie About Space? Here's What 8 Movies Got Right—and Wrong”: https://time.com/5627032/most-realistic-space-movies/

SPACE.com “5 most realistic space movies”: https://www.space.com/realistic-space-movies

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Time in Nolan and Sci-fi Movies | Interstellar Part 2

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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How does Nolan’s use of time in Interstellar compare with his other films? In this episode, we talk about why Nolan is so fascinated with time and which of his time concepts we prefer. We also chat about why the impact of aging in Interstellar is so impactful compared with other representations of the passage of time. Our conversation ends with a general discussion about time in the sci-fi genre and how it’s been explored in other films.

References:

Fortress of Solitude “Understanding Christopher Nolan’s Obsession With Time“: https://www.fortressofsolitude.co.za/understanding-christopher-nolans-obsession-with-time/

Screen Rant “Why Christopher Nolan Is So Obsessed With Time In His Movies”: https://screenrant.com/christopher-nolan-movies-time-stories-obsession-explained/

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Ranking Christopher Nolan Films | Interstellar Part 1

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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So… Cheryl finally watched Interstellar! What did she think about the movie, and how does it compare with what she thinks about other Christopher Nolan movies? In this episode, we talk about our impressions of Interstellar and our views on Christopher Nolan and his work. Tune in to hear how we rank Nolan films and how it compares with the aggregate critics score on Rotten Tomatoes!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Thinking person’s sci-fi | Arrival Part 4

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Based on the Rotten Tomatoes synopsis of “Arrival”, we chat about the “thinking person’s sci-fi” and how Arrival falls into that sci-fi “category”. We spend the episode chatting about what “thinking person’s sci-fi” (and “thinking person” other genres) means to us, and the specific characteristics of that kind of film.

Arrival on Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/arrival_2016

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

[SPECIAL] Oscars 2022 (with guests Kyle and Laura)

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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Lara and guests Kyle and Laura chat about the changes of this year’s Oscars ceremony and what they thought of the 2021 film season, including any Academy snubs, their favourite films of the year and predictions. Listen in on all the hot takes and prediction trends for your Oscars party ballots this year!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Alien + Fictional Languages | Arrival Part 3

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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What fictional languages do you speak? In this episode, we talk about producing fictional languages in film and why we don’t see that many written fictional languages in movies. We also talk about the sound of aliens in films over the year, and how the emergence of fictional alien language parallels our comfort levels of the existence of aliens in our galaxy.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Denis Villeneuve | Arrival Part 2

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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How would we rank Denis Villeneuve films we have seen? What makes these films so impressive and successful? In this episode, we chat about why we love Denis Villeneuve’s filmmaking and his organic, human way of storytelling. We also chat about how he compares with other directors, his influence on sci-fi and what we think we might see from him in the future.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

What do aliens look like? | Arrival Part 1

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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How have alien creature designs evolved over time? In this first episode of Arrival, we chat about how our human perspective influences what we imagine aliens to look like. We also chat about the role that aliens have played in the last few decades of cinema and how that affects our design and depiction of aliens. We wrap up the conversation with a look to the future and consider the characteristics of aliens in the next decade of filmmaking.

References:

CNN “How depictions of aliens have evolved”: https://www.cnn.com/style/article/alien-like-no-other/index.html

Business Insider “40th Anniversary of 'Alien' Movie: How Aliens in Film Have Changed”: https://www.businessinsider.com/40th-anniversary-of-alien-movie-aliens-in-film-changes-2019-8?r=US&IR=T

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Our fascination with aliens | Star Trek Part 4

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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Why do we create stories about aliens? And, what fascinates us about the possibility of finding aliens in space? In this episode, we talk about what drives mankind to look for aliens and whether we believe that we would be able to find aliens in the near future. We also chat about how, in recent years, the portrayal of aliens as a threat seems to have been replaced with AI’s as the main threats of science fiction.

References:

Read more about the Arecibo message on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arecibo_message

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

The eras of sci-fi | Star Trek Part 3

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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What paved the way for sci-fi as we know it now? And, what is the future of the sci-fi genre beyond the 2010’s? In this episode, we chat about the evolving themes and stories within the science fiction genre and how it coincides with our relationship with and understanding of science and technology. As we chat through the evolution of the genre, we start to see how other genres blend into science fiction, causing science-fiction eras to emerge throughout filmmaking history.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

How are megafans created? | Star Trek Part 2

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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How do people become fans? In this episode, we talk about how people go from liking something to becoming a megafan. We chat through examples and anecdotes of fandom from sports and music. This topic leads us to a conversation about the six Star Trek series that are simultaneously on TV right now, and how they strengthen the Trekkie community and form lifetime fans of the franchise.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Star Trek’s Political & Cultural Dimensions | Star Trek Part 1

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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Space, the final frontier (for real this time)! We’re chatting about one of the foundational franchises of the sci-fi genre: Star Trek. In this episode, we talk about the origins of Star Trek and how the themes and conflicts within the series acted as comparison points for what was going on politically and culturally in the 1960s. We also talk about the real-world impact of Star Trek and how futuristic technology depicted in the series (and other sci-fi series and films) influence innovation in our lives.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Franchise “Resurrections” | The Matrix Part 4

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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What are comeback franchises? In this episode, we talk about recent franchise “resurrections” and how they compare with long-running franchises like Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. We also chat about whether they are made to satisfy the original fans of the franchise or whether they are actually made to create a new generation of fans. This discussion also leads to a conversation about nostalgia and what we are actually nostalgic about when we rewatch older shows and movies.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Red Pill vs Blue Pill | The Matrix Part 3

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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Are we living in the matrix? Would we take the red pill or the blue pill? Welcome to our most philosophical episode yet! In this episode, we venture into topics like free will and determinism, and the various outrageous fan theories that aim to prove how we might be living in a simulation. We also dive into the meaning behind the red pill and blue pill question, and how our answers might not reflect our actual behaviours. Instead, we theorise about how a purple pill should exist for those who aren’t yet ready to take a red pill.

References:

Vulture “15 Irrefutable Reasons We Might Be Living in a Simulation”: https://www.vulture.com/2019/02/15-irrefutable-reasons-we-might-be-living-in-a-simulation.html

NPR “ 'I, too, was living a double life': Why trans fans connect to 'The Matrix'”: https://www.npr.org/2021/12/22/1066554369/the-matrix-original-trans-fans-resurrections?t=1642368617228

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

The chosen one trope | The Matrix Part 2

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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Has the chosen one trope become outdated? In this episode, we talk about the chosen one narrative and how it often works within sci-fi and fantasy stories. We also discuss whether modern day audiences connect with the role of the “prophecy” in these types of narratives. Our conversation also turns to why we need a chosen one to come save us in the first place; why is the world always ending in the stories we consume?

Reference:

Tor.com “The Flawed Fantasy of the Chosen One”: https://www.tor.com/2020/08/19/the-flawed-fantasy-of-the-chosen-one/

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Saving humanity, an intro to sci-fi | The Matrix Part 1

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 07:00:00 -0500

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New year, new genre - welcome to the next few months of sci-fi movies! (Surprise, Lara somehow convinced Cheryl to watch more space movies this year.) In this episode, we chat about the genre in general and the characteristics of a sci-fi movie. We start this season off with “The Matrix” - just in time for the release of “The Matrix Resurrections” that just came out in December 2021.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Our 2021 Favourites | End of Year Special

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0500

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In this episode, we look back on the year and talk about our favourite films of 2021. We also chat about the films we’re looking forward to in 2022. Listen in on our conversation to see if there is any crossover!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

The Great Halloween vs Christmas Movie Debate (w/ Heather Faye from WNWY) | Nightmare Before Christmas Part 4

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0500

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We are joined by Heather from “Watching Netflix Without You” to settle the great debate: is Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween or Christmas movie? In this episode, we talk about the specific elements that make the film a Halloween or Christmas movie. We also end the episode by giving the film two ratings (a Halloween and Christmas film rating) as the final verdict on what kind of film it is.

We also participated in Heather’s 12 Days of Pre-Christmas, where we watched Netflix’s “A Castle For Christmas”. Check out Heather’s podcast “Watching Netflix Without You”: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/watching-netflix-without-you/id1567595949

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Holiday Movies | Nightmare Before Christmas Part 3

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0500

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What are holiday movies? And, why do they exist? In this episode, we chat about movies based around specific holidays and why so many big movies are released during the December holiday season. We also chat about how holidays can also be created from cult followings (ex. October 3rd and Mean Girls), and how movies bring people together to form genuine, collective memories.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

The age spectrum in animated films | Nightmare Before Christmas Part 2

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0500

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Is Nightmare Before Christmas a movie for kids or adults? How can you tell when an animated movie is aimed at adults or made for kids? In this episode, we talk about how animated films are often perceived to be “for the kids”, but there are so many animated films out there (i.e. stop-motion, Miyazaki-type films) that are targeted to an older audience. We also chat about how live-action films are considered the “default film” and anything else is considered different and only for niche audiences.

References:

Forbes “Disney's 'Frozen' Proves Failure Of PG Rating”: https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2013/11/26/disneys-frozen-proves-worthlessness-of-pg-rating/?sh=19e2668d6d35

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Animation Through the Ages | Nightmare Before Christmas Part 1

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0500

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Welcome to Halloween Town! In this episode, we talk about the animation style of Nightmare Before Christmas and why stop-motion works so well for the film. We also talk about how stop-motion compares with other animation styles (like the classic Disney 2D-drawn vs 3D Pixar-style). Lastly, we chat about how technology has allowed animators to push the boundaries of realism in animated films, but also how realism could potentially veer into uncanny valley territory.

References:

The Take “Why Nightmare Before Christmas is a Thanksgiving Movie”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYx1dlZZr-U

American Cinematographer “'Stop Motion Without Compromise: The Nightmare Before Christmas”: https://ascmag.com/articles/nightmare-before-christmas

Lightyear Teaser Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwPL0Md_QFQ&ab_channel=Pixar

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Who will be the next 007? | No Time to Die Part 4

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0500

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Now that the Daniel Craig era of James Bond has come to an end - and there is literally no way he’s coming back… who will be the next 007? What are the people saying? In this episode, we chat through some fan input on who the next 007 will be. We also talk about the core criteria of choosing the next 007 and the challenges that may impact the decision. Lastly, we chat about the next stages of producing the next 007 film - what comes first: the script or casting of 007?

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Evolution of the 007 franchise | No Time to Die Part 3

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0500

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How has the 007 franchise developed over time? And, how will the latest filmmaking decisions in No Time To Die influence the future of the franchise? In this episode, we chat about the international reach of spy movies and whether spies exist. We also continue to compare action franchises (Mission Impossible, Bourne, and Fast & Furious) and talk about the audiences that they cater to. Lastly, we talk about how the latest stylistic (almost auteur) filmmaking and development of the Bond character may influence the creative production of the next 007 films.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

007, the advertising machine | No Time to Die Part 2

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0500

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How many products can you spot during a bond movie? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara talk about how the 007 franchise is an advertising machine and the types of products, places and people it helps to promote. We also chat about how the cross-promotion affects the post production and financing of the Bond franchise.

007 Product Placement Drinking Game

Every product spotted (1 sip of your drink)
Aston Martin (waterfall for 5 seconds)
Close up view of Sony / Nokia phone (waterfall for the duration of the phone’s screen time)

References:

The Guardian “'Coffee is coming': fans spot rogue takeaway cup in Game of Thrones”: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/may/06/coffee-is-coming-fans-spot-starbucks-cup-in-game-of-thrones

Condé Nast Traveller “Where 'Call Me By Your Name' was filmed in Italy”: https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/where-was-call-me-by-your-name-filmed

The Verge “Bond film delays are reportedly causing product placement havoc for brands”: https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2021/1/27/22252018/james-bond-no-time-to-die-hmd-global-nokia-phones-product-placement

NPR “'No Time to Die' shows how the Bond franchise can stay relevant — and profitable”: https://www.npr.org/2021/10/09/1044711550/james-bond-economy-no-time-to-die

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

James Bond, the “classy” action hero | No Time to Die Part 1

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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What makes James Bond “James Bond”? And, how does he differ from other action protagonists? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara talk about the developments of the Bond character over time. We also chat about the impact of Daniel Craig’s Bond on the franchise and how it reflects what we, as the audience, want from the 007 films.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

BONUS | 2021 Fall Films Lineup + Festival Debrief

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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Fall is usually the season of big movie releases - and 2021 is no different! Both Cheryl and Lara had a chance to watch some of the biggest films this year at TIFF and the London Film Festival - before the films were even released. Listen in on our conversation about The French Dispatch, Spencer, Last Night in Soho and more!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

SPECIAL | Comic Book Culture (with Niels Haraldsted)

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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To wrap up the superhero genre, we chat about the source material for the genre itself: comic books! Of course, both Cheryl and Lara are not avid comic book fans, but have no fear - we brought on friend and special guest Niels Haraldsted to talk about comic book culture, including the format of comic books and the community that surrounds this medium. We also chat about how comics often translate into movies and why the films often don’t deliver the rich worlds and stories in the original comics.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

BONUS | Dune

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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Dune is (finally) released today in Canada and the UK! We both had the chance to watch Dune early at TIFF and the BFI. To celebrate release day, we recorded a bonus episode about whether Dune met our expectations, how it works as an adaptation, what we thought about the score and more!

References:

IndieWire “Hans Zimmer Says He’s Driving ‘Dune’ Team Crazy with So Many Score Ideas and Experiments”: https://www.indiewire.com/2020/06/hans-zimmer-driving-dune-team-crazy-score-ideas-1234569246/

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Creepy Kids in Horror Movies + Suspending Disbelief | Unbreakable Part 4

Thu, 21 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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In our last episode of Unbreakable, we start with a quick chat about creepy kids and realistic portrayals of children in film. The conversation leads us to chat about suspending disbelief in films and how authentic characters allow audiences to believe in what’s going on even when the plot is not realistic at all. We then wrap up the episode with our final thoughts and rating of Unbreakable by M. Night Shyamalan.

References:

Screenrant “Why Kids Are The Focus Of So Many Horror Movies & TV Shows”: https://screenrant.com/horror-movie-tv-shows-feature-kids-reason/

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

The Best Plot Twists of All Time | Unbreakable Part 3

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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What are our favourite plot twists? This episode, Cheryl and Lara chat about the plot twist in Unbreakable and whether we thought it was successful. We also chat about which genre usually has plot twists and when they are most often done well. Lastly, we talk about how plot twists are impacted from audiences’ initial expectations of the film and why that matters in the film experience.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Filmmakers with Cult Followings | Unbreakable Part 2

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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M. Night Shyamalan’s success from The Sixth Sense has since helped him gain a cult following - but has that loyal audience stuck around? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara chat about other directors with cult followings, such as Wes Anderson, Stanley Kubrick and Christopher Nolan. We chat about how cult followings start, how they grow in size and what causes cult followings to dramatically diminish in size.

References:

How I Built This: Logic & Chris Zarou: https://www.npr.org/2019/03/07/701212707/logic-logic-chris-zarou?t=1631462360318

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

M. Night Shyamalan | Unbreakable Part 1

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0400

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After watching Marvel and DC movies, we watch an alternative take on the superhero genre: M. Night Shyamalan’s “Unbreakable”. We start the month by chatting about M. Night Shyamalan and how we think his brilliant movie concepts never seem to deliver a fully satisfying ending. The episode ends with a short discussion about delivering satisfying movie endings, especially for the sci-fi/thriller/action genre.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

DC vs Marvel | The Dark Knight Part 4

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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How do DC movies compare with Marvel movies? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara start by chatting about Nolan’s interpretation of the superhero genre and the dark colour palette. We then move onto talking about how the DC movies differ drastically in style and quality due to its licensing to various studios. Meanwhile, Marvel’s top down, in-house production creates a much more cohesive franchise.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Does Batman Actually Help Gotham? | The Dark Knight Part 3

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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Does Batman’s role in society actually help rid Gotham’s streets of evil? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara talk about the role of superheroes in society and whether they may actually be causing more problems than solving them. We chat about how crime is deeply rooted in socio-economic issues found in society and why Batman’s short-sightedness makes him a deeply flawed character.

References:

Tor.com “The Hero Gotham Deserves: Is Batman Good for Gotham City?| by Shoshana Kessock: https://www.tor.com/2012/07/25/the-hero-gotham-deserves-is-batman-good-for-gotham-city/

Overthinking It “The Philosophy of Batman”: https://www.overthinkingit.com/2008/07/24/the-philosophy-of-batman/

Vlogbrothers “I Kind of Hate Batman”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LATPfqT4118&ab_channel=vlogbrothers

Vlogbrothers “I Kinda AM Batman”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qns8txH5Ns&ab_channel=vlogbrothers

Vlogbrothers “BONUS: We Are All Bat People (Songified Batman Argument)”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahQzTLqIAoA&ab_channel=vlogbrothers

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Why so serious? | The Dark Knight Part 2

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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What makes Joker an iconic villain and why is he such a credible villain? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara chat about the Joker in The Dark Knight, what makes him so scary and what we think his goals and motivations are in the film. Since we also watched Cruella, we return to our chat about villain origin stories, why some villain origin stories work and why others fail.

References:

The Take “Superhero Movie Tropes, Explained”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bVe8bmtFtw&t=765s&ab_channel=TheTake

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

The Masculinity of the Superhero Genre | The Dark Knight Part 1

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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What are the main types of superheroes? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara chat about how the typical story arcs of the superhero genre satisfies its core audience. Despite the stories becoming more diverse, we talk about how the films still seem to be most successful for a male audience. We end the conversation about the importance of inclusive communities to widen the reach of the superhero genre.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

What Makes a Film Villain Great? | Black Panther Part 4

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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Why was Killmonger a great villain? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara chat about the relationship between superheroes and their villain counterparts, and how Killmonger differs from other Marvel villains. We also chat through the main difference between villains and “super-villains” - more specifically, what makes super-villains stand out amongst all the evil characters in the superhero genre.

References:

vlogbrothers “Are We the Baddies?? A Quick Look at a Discourse”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YYLMrZ3y_o

From The Atlantic “The Tragedy of Erik Killmonger” by Adam Serwer: https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/02/black-panther-erik-killmonger/553805/

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Diversity in the Superhero Genre | Black Panther Part 3

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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When Black Panther was first released in theatres, critics and audiences applauded it for being a big step forward in diversity in the superhero genre. How has the superhero genre evolved since then? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara chat about how the media shapes our conversations about diversity in the superhero genre. We also chat about why diversifying film criticism is important and what we, as audiences, can do to hear different opinions about film.

References:

Khadija Mbowe “Color-blind vs. Identity-conscious casting and examining Hamilton and Malcom & Marie”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYTN6BnK_KI&ab_channel=KhadijaMbowe

The Take YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVjsbqKtxkLt7bal4NWRjJQ

Khadija Mbowe “Race-baiting, queer-baiting, colorism, featurism, and performative diversity”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYPB5nJV3h8&ab_channel=KhadijaMbowe

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Technology in Superhero Movies | Black Panther Part 2

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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In this episode, Cheryl and Lara chat about how advanced or futuristic technology is a prominent theme in the superhero genre. Even the superheroes who have supernatural powers (i.e. Spiderman) rely on technology (their suits) to assist in their performance. We also chat about how technology is often depicted as larger than life and why romanticising technology might be problematic when audiences do not engage with the material critically.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

The Business of Marvel Movies | Black Panther Part 1

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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Welcome to Marvel Month! This month, we deep dive into Black Panther and all things Marvel. To start, we chat about our feelings towards Marvel movies and how these films both support and limit the growth of the film industry. We then talk about Marvel in society and its potentially important role in shaping mindsets and providing alternative narratives.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Why are there so many dog movies? | Cruella Part 4

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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Why do we enjoy watching movies about animals? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara chat about the prevalence of animal movies, and specifically dog movies. We talk about our fascination with animals because of how similar yet different they are to us humans. This fascination has led to an emergence in animal documentaries and fictional stories that prescribe human-like thoughts and emotions to animals.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Costume Design & Character Identity | Cruella Part 3

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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The fabulous costumes in Cruella inspire us to talk about our favourite costumes in movies and how fashion in film influences culture and everyday wear. We also chat about how costumes further flesh out a character’s identity and the collaborative nature of costume design with hair and makeup. Lastly, we chat about why costume design is an important part of animated films and how Disney princess dresses give children around the world a chance to be a princess.

References:

Jackie Wyers YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JackieWyers

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Is 'Evil' Real? | Cruella Part 2

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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As a follow up to our last episode on villains, we’re chatting about the popularity of the true crime genre and the surrounding fascination with psychopaths. We also chat about the culture surrounding true crime and the downsides of true crime as entertainment. Our conversation also includes evil in fiction vs nonfiction and whether pure evil truly exists.

References:

Sarah Hawkinson YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/sarahhawkinson

Mental Floss “12 Reasons We Love True Crime, According to the Experts”: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/559256/why-we-love-true-crime

Dr. Julia Shaw “Evil, The Science Behind Humanity’s Dark Side”: https://www.drjuliashaw.com/evil

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Why Villain Stories are Entertaining | Cruella Part 1

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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This month, Cheryl and Lara are watching “Cruella” and “101 Dalmatians”. To start off, we chat about villain origin stories and the emerging fascination with the bad guys on screen. Our discussion leads us to chatting about our favourite villains and why sometimes the bad guy is the most entertaining character in the film.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

[SPECIAL] Inside Scoop on Working at Disney World with a Cast Member!

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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The Disney amusement parks are important marketing and immersive channels to enjoy the world of Disney. This week, we chat with resident Disney expert - and Cast Member! - Celia Bulger about the Disney parks and what it’s like working behind the scenes at Disney World. We talk about the most popular characters and the amount of detail that goes into the Disney parks. Lastly, Celia gives us some hot tips for your next visit to Disney World.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

The Disney Renaissance “Renaissance” | Frozen Part 4

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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The Disney Renaissance was in the 90’s and now we seem to be firmly into a new generation of Disney princess stories - in fact, some (Cheryl) might even say we’re firmly in the Disney Renaissance “Renaissance”. We start the episode chatting about what makes this era of Disney princess films distinctively different from the original Disney Renaissance. The conversation ends with a chat about what is next for Disney and whether we are nearing the end of the current generation of Disney princesses.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

The Evolution of the Disney Princess | Frozen Part 3

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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What does it mean to be a Disney princess? How have Disney princesses evolved over time? This episode, we chat about the qualities of a Disney princess and how we perceive the princess stereotype in society. We explore how the evolution of the Disney princess stereotype relates to our understanding of feminism and femininity.

Reference:

The Take, “The Disney Princess Trope, Explained” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoTKv9WjzHY&ab_channel=TheTake

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

The Modern Happily Ever After | Frozen Part 2

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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What is “true love” in the fairy tale genre? In this episode, we chat about the ending of Frozen and how Frozen both acknowledges and disrupts our understanding of “true love”. We also chat about how this new understanding of “true love” has been applied across other genres and how that alters the modern day “happily ever after”.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

The Fairy Tale Trope | Frozen Part 1

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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What is Disney without fairy tales? This month, we’re chatting about all things Frozen and what better way to start than with a discussion about fairy tales. From Prince Charming to Good vs. Evil, listen in on our conversation about the components of the fairy tale trope. We also chat about fairy tale origins and how they compare with Disney original stories (such as Moanna or Brave). What other fairy tale is Disney going to adapt next? Is Rumpelstiltskin going to be a thing?

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Endings as Beginnings | Soul Part 4

Thu, 27 May 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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What was the meaning behind “Soul”? In this discussion, we chat about how Soul provides a different perspective on The American Dream and the poetic themes of rebirth in the film. We also talk about the primary difference in messaging between Pixar and Disney films, and what we thought about the ending of Soul.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Diversity On-Screen and Behind the Scenes in Animation | Soul Part 3

Thu, 20 May 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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After watching Soul, Cheryl and Lara dig into the behind the scenes and making of the movie, where we learned about Disney’s Cultural Trust. In this episode, we chat about diverse perspectives in animated films, representation behind the scenes and potentially why diversity is often overlooked in the animation genre.

References:

The Present (Short Film) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_nJJHaNmnY&ab_channel=MAGNETFILM

It’s Nice That: “Why is there a lack of women in animation, and what can we do about it?” https://www.itsnicethat.com/features/why-is-there-a-lack-of-women-in-animation-internationalwomensday-080318

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

How Digitisation Has Changed the Film Industry | Soul Part 2

Thu, 13 May 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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A conversation about special features in Disney+ leads Cheryl and Lara to talk about the latest changes in film distribution. We also chat about how film marketing has shifted from marketing specific to individual films to advertisements about a catalogue of films for Disney+ or Netflix. Our conversation ends with how “Soul” was completed during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the film industry can continue to be highly collaborative while working from home.

Reference:

Polandbananas20: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVGr8TtyDML8PZZ5wawbXuw

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Are Pixar films for adults? | Soul Part 1

Thu, 06 May 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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What do you expect from a Pixar film? How does ‘Soul’ match or differ from our expectations? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara chat about our initial thoughts on the 2020 Pixar film, “Soul”. We talk about how Pixar storytelling compares with Disney storytelling and how they may be targeting different audience groups. Lastly, we chat about our experience watching “Soul” on Disney Plus and how it adds or subtracts from the film experience.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Check out our YouTube channel for extended conversations and outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6GFhumzrq8qNBYZuF_1Q

Yo ho, a pirate’s life for us! | Pirates of the Caribbean Part 4

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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Did you know that Pirates of the Caribbean was inspired by an amusement park ride? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara talk about the development of Pirates and how the success of the franchise has influenced the ride that it originated from. We also chat about other films with interesting origins and how inspiration can truly come from all places, including the fans themselves.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

BONUS | 2021 Oscars + Predictions (with Laura Schlee)

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 12:00:00 -0400

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The most important night in cinema is coming up this week! What did we think of the 2020 movie season and the Oscar nominations list? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara are joined by friend Laura, our resident Oscars expert. This year, she successfully found and watched all of the nominated movies. Listen in on our thoughts about what films we are rooting for and which ones we think will win in a quickfire lightning round at the end of the episode!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Bending the Adventure Genre | Pirates of the Caribbean Part 3

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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Why is Pirates of the Caribbean so fun? How does Pirates play with the adventure genre? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara chat about how genre bending made Pirates of the Caribbean so enjoyable. We then chat about how genre bending creates interesting stories and bring up some of our favourite genre bending films. Much like the music industry, genre bending broadens the reach of the film to audiences who may not have chosen to watch the film if it only stayed in one genre.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

How Hans Zimmer Disrupted Film Scoring | Pirates of the Caribbean Part 2

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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Cheryl and Lara find out that Hans Zimmer did not in fact score Pirates of the Caribbean, which leads to a conversation about film scores. In this episode, we chat about what film music is and how it has changed in the past few decades. We also talk about how Hans Zimmer’s primary method of film scoring (mixing and layering with electronic instrumental libraries rather than writing sheet music) may have influenced the incorporation of non-instrumental sounds, like in the recent Tenet soundtrack and Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' work in contemporary film scores.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Why is the rum always gone? | Pirates of the Caribbean Part 1

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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Welcome to Pirates of the Caribbean - one of the most enjoyable Disney franchises! Yet, Pirates isn’t often the series that comes to mind when we think of Disney. In this episode, Cheryl and Lara chat about all things franchises, when they often fail and what can help them succeed. We also chat about how our expectations change with every installment, and how those expectations affect our perceived quality of the films.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Shrekisode | Shrek

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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As a bit of a detour, Cheryl and Lara chat about Shrek, which (we know) is not Disney, but (rumour has it) is very intertwined with Disney because of the drama that happened behind the scenes. This episode is all about how Shrek compares with Disney and how it pokes fun at the fairytale trope and its competitor. We also chat about how the competition between Disney and Dreamworks shaped each other and developed the animated film genre to how it is today.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Reference:

Niv Magazine: https://nivmag.com/

Disney Original Songs | The Lion King Part 4

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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What did we think of the music in The Lion King remake? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara chat about music in Disney films. From how the music compares to the original film to what we thought about the new original songs (including one from Beyonce!), we discuss our feelings about the new soundtrack and how successful it was compared to other Disney remakes. We also chat about Beyonce’s overall involvement in the movie and how her involvement might have impacted the film.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Reference:

Deadline ‘Elton John “Disappointed” By ‘The Lion King’ Remake: “They Messed The Music Up”’: https://deadline.com/2019/10/elton-john-slams-disappointing-lion-king-remake-messed-music-up-1202762318/

Cinema Blend: “The Hilarious Reason The Lion King’s Circle Of Life Ends How It Does”: https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2482392/the-hilarious-reason-the-lion-kings-circle-of-life-ends-how-it-does

CGI or CG-why? | The Lion King Part 3

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0400

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...or otherwise titled “did we need a new Lion King?” After watching the 2019 live-action remake of The Lion King, Cheryl and Lara delve into their thoughts on the new Disney remakes. We chat about whether the remake was successful from both a storytelling and business perspective. And, more importantly, whether the CGI Lion King was doomed from the start. We end our conversation with our thoughts on remakes in general and how remakes can be done successfully through remixing genres and perspectives.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Life Lessons with Disney | The Lion King Part 2

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0500

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What are themes that often occur in Disney animated films and why are they suitable for families? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara talk about what we noticed watching The Lion King as an adult compared with what we noticed when we were a kid. This conversation leads us to a chat about how Disney teaches kids life lessons in an entertaining yet educational format. And, how Disney songs further distribute those life lessons beyond just the film.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Animated Musicals | The Lion King Part 1

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0500

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Welcome to The Lion King! We’re so excited to watch this Disney classic - in fact, it was one of the first films we wanted to watch since starting the podcast. In this episode, we are wrapping up our discussion within the musical genre with an animated musical! Is there such a thing as “suspending too much disbelief” in animated musicals? We also chat about what the animated genre would look like with Disney and their animated musicals. And finally, listen in on our final thoughts on the musical genre and what our biggest takeaway was from the past couple months of movie musical watching!

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Reference:

VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4nGxX2mHOs&t=5s&ab_channel=CorridorCrew

Academy Announces 27 Animated Features Eligible for Oscar Consideration: https://www.awn.com/news/academy-announces-27-animated-features-eligible-oscar-consideration

A Taylor Swift Musical?! | The Sound of Music Part 4

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0500

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What are some musicals that don’t exist but totally could? In this week’s episode, Cheryl and Lara chat about why their parents introduced them to The Sound of Music. Their conversation leads them to a discussion about how music in musicals affects our enjoyment of a musical, leading them to chat about artists, like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish, with discographies that could be developed into new musicals. Lastly, we chat about the limits of the format and the degree of complexity that could exist in a musical.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Reference:

Music Maestro Mashups: "All Too Well x Betty" [Mashup] - Taylor Swift https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEtQte5uS_I&ab_channel=MusicMaestroMashups

Films that Survive Generations | The Sound of Music Part 3

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0500

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What are movies that your parents watched as a kid that they watched with you when you were younger? And, what are movies that we’ll pass down to the next generation of kids? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara chat about the old musicals that they haven’t heard of and marvel at how The Sound of Music has lasted through two generations. We also chat about the transatlantic accent and why some may like it (Cheryl) and why others might not (Lara).

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Watching old films in the present day | The Sound of Music Part 2

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0500

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The Sound of Music is the oldest film that Cheryl and Lara have watched thus far on #WTFWithUS, but how do we feel about watching old films? What is our experience with older movies? We also talk about the perception of early cinema across the different generations. Listen in on our conversation about the oldest films we've seen, why we watched them and how we felt about them. And most importantly, what do you think? Do you think the current generation of kids prefer the old Disney animated films (Team Lara) or the new live action Disney films (Team Cheryl)?

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Rewatching films from childhood | The Sound of Music Part 1

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0500

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“Do” a deer a female deer… that’s right folks, we’re watching The Sound of Music! It’s been well over a decade since Cheryl and Lara have watched the film - how does watching The Sound of Music as a kid compare to watching it as an adult? What are things we noticed this time around that we hadn’t as children? Our discussion also leads us to reminisce about childhood films we’ve rewatched as grown ups and how accurate or inaccurate our memory of these films may be.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

The Bollywood Genre | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Part 4

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 07:00:00 -0500

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In this final episode of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Cheryl and Lara talk about the ending of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and how it was satisfyingly unexpected. This discussion leads us into a conversation about the Bollywood genre: whether Bollywood films follow a specific formula and if there are specific characteristics found across all films in the genre. We chat about whether Bollywood films might fall into the slice of life genre, but also what we both consider 'slice of life' or 'cinéma vérité' to be.

Let us know what you think and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTF_WithUs

Stereotypes in Film & Society | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Part 3

Thu, 21 Jan 2021 08:00:00 -0500

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Does Bollywood really represent the reality of India? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara talk about how film influences society and why that matters. Film can introduce us to different perspectives and cultures, but it can also perpetuate existing stereotypes. Is that a good or bad thing? Lastly, we also chat about the double meaning of YOLO: make the most out of life and do really dangerous activities, or be careful with what you do because this is your one life?

References:

DW “Does Bollywood reflect Indian society?” https://www.dw.com/en/does-bollywood-reflect-indian-society/a-16745397

The Foreign Language Film as a Genre | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Part 2

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 07:00:00 -0500

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Why do we classify non-English language films as their own genre? What are the pitfalls of discussing foreign language films in one category? In this episode, Cheryl and Lara continue watching Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and chat about the competitive landscape of non-English language films. More specifically, we talk about how filmmakers within this category face challenges getting their films in front of viewers, film festival programmers and awards voters.

References:

Deadline “The 2021 Movie Awards Season Outlook: Weird-Case Scenarios Will Sweep All Categories” https://deadline.com/2020/12/oscars-awards-season-2021-outlook-calendar-oscars-1234661687/

YOLO! | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Part 1

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 07:00:00 -0500

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We’re starting 2021 with a non-English language film: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, a Bollywood film, which translates to YOLO! The film is about a bachelor party set in Spain, where the three main characters (Kabir, Arjun and Imran) engage in thrill-seeking adventures. This week, we talk about our experience with the Bollywood genre and our first impressions of the film. We also chat about new year's resolutions and what kinds of thrill-seeking adventures we would choose if we had a similar Bachelorette party.

References:

The Financial Diet “7 Insane Life & Money Lessons I Learned From Emily In Paris” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6mCwMbJDFs&ab_channel=TheFinancialDiet

Our 2020 Favourites & Looking Ahead to 2021

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0500

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Happy New Year! What films made it to our top 5 list this year? And, what are some films that Cheryl and Lara are looking forward to in 2021? Countdown to 2021 with us and get to know more about the kinds of films we like. Tell us what films you liked in 2020 and what you’re looking forward to in 2021 on Twitter @WTF_withus - we would love to hear from you!

A Very GLEEful Episode | Glee Season 2 Christmas Episode

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 16:00:00 -0500

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After watching High School Musical, we were inspired to watch some Glee to continue the teen musical theme. It was also perfect timing to watch one of the Glee Christmas specials. After all, the Glee Christmas songs are some of the most enjoyable renditions of festive classics - and some of the most popular Glee cover! We also talk about how Glee may or may not have stood the test of time (hint: it hasn’t) and why it hasn’t held up as well as High School Musical or other musically-oriented films. Happy Holidays from us to you!

Teen Musicals | High School Musical Part 4

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 07:00:00 -0500

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Have you ever thought about why SO many movies take place in high school, despite high school being such a small amount of a person’s lifespan? And how, somehow, all the characters’ problems seem to get resolved by the time they graduate? In this episode we dive into teen movies and why we find coming-of-age films so satisfying. We also talk about some films that are set in high school but are darker than fun, comedic films like HSM or To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.

References:

“50 of the Most Essential High School Stories” https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/50-essential-high-school-stories/

“Spring Awakening Touches Troubled Hearts” https://www.playbill.com/article/spring-awakening-touches-troubled-hearts-com-157362

“How Spring Awakening Inspired a Generation of Theater Fans” https://www.vulture.com/2018/03/spring-awakening-rise-nbc-high-school-musical.html

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Is High School Musical a Cult Classic? | High School Musical Part 3

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 07:00:00 -0500

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Few Disney Channel original films have gained the same amount of status and fan following as High School Musical had. So why is it that HSM did so much better than the other Disney originals? At this point, almost fifteen years after it came out, can High School Musical be considered a classic or cult classic? This week, Cheryl and Lara talk about HSM’s current stature and how it developed its cult following.

References:

Top 15 Disney Channel Original Movies from the early 2000s

https://www.hypable.com/top-disney-channel-original-movies-from-the-early-2000s/

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Pop Culture Relevance of High School Musical | High School Musical Part 2

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 06:00:00 -0500

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If you were a tween in 2006 and you hadn’t seen High School Musical, you weren’t considered cool. And now, flash forward to 2020, High School Musical continues to be remixed into contemporary pop culture. In this week’s episode, we discuss the popularity of HSM and its (surprising) lasting relevance. We also chat about how nostalgia plays a part in our current perception of HSM. Plus, we read the funniest comments from HSM videos on YouTube (have you seen the memes from ‘Bet On It’?! Iconic.)

References:

DisneyMusicVevo “Ryan, Sharpay - What I've Been Looking For (From "High School Musical")” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-wSCKaHJ6Y&ab_channel=DisneyMusicVEVO

Ashley Tisdale “Ex's & Oh's | feat. Vanessa Hudgens” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5pzC_gUlpA&ab_channel=AshleyTisdale

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

The Start of Something New?! | High School Musical Part 1

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0500

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What musical is the polar opposite of Sweeney Todd? If you guess the original HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, you are correct - what a perfect follow-up to the horror musical. In this episode, we discuss whether it’s ‘cool’ to do music in high school or if what is considered cool has changed, and if HSM paved the way for the boon of the movie musical (including shows like Glee). But most importantly, would Zac Efron still be hot if he wasn’t a celebrity? Tune in to hear our thoughts.

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Sondheim vs Andrew Lloyd Webber | Sweeney Todd Part 5

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0500

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What are Cheryl and Lara’s favourite musicals? Cheryl’s answer leads us to the inevitable discussion about Sondheim vs Andrew Lloyd Webber - very fitting for this episode as we watch the final bit of Sweeney Todd. Which musical composer do we prefer, and why? Listen in on our conversation and find out more about our musical tastes!

Reference:

Corridor Crew “VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 2” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4nGxX2mHOs&ab_channel=CorridorCrew

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

What is “horror music” | Sweeney Todd Part 4

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 07:00:00 -0500

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Why are most horror musicals comedic? And what is 'scary' music and why is it such an important element in scary movies? Spooky season extends into November in this episode, where Cheryl and Lara continue watching Sweeney Todd while chatting about music in horror movies. We note the importance of music in horror films and how music can subvert what is familiar to us and make it unfamiliar.

Reference:

BBC “What makes a great horror movie soundtrack?” https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20161031-what-makes-a-great-horror-movie-soundtrack

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Rooting for the Bad Guy | Sweeney Todd Part 3

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 07:00:00 -0500

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What does it mean to root for the bad guy in a film? How do stories with bad guy protagonists usually end? Cheryl and Lara talk about how we feel about rooting for the bad guy and how the audience might still root for Sweeney Todd despite his terrible actions. Join us as we continue with Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd, where we chat about storytelling from the bad guy’s perspective.

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Tim Burton | Sweeney Todd Part 2

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0400

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Spooky season is the perfect time to watch a Tim Burton film! And of course, we couldn’t resist spending one episode chatting about his unique style. How did his background in animation influence his later work? How could one describe his films? ALSO: is pumpkin pie actually a pie? In this special Halloween-themed episode, listen in on Cheryl and Lara’s chat about Tim Burton, while they continue with the second part of Sweeney Todd.

Reference:

Sideways “Why the Music in Les Misérables (2012) is Worse than you Thought”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ikqU6G6Xgs&t=8s&ab_channel=Sideways

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Unexpected Musicals | Sweeney Todd Part 1

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0400

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What do we picture when we think of the musical genre? Probably not demon barbers who murder people! For spooky season, Cheryl and Lara have hopped into Tim Burton’s dark and gloomy Sweeney Todd. We chat about how Sweeney Todd is completely different to what we expect when we think of musicals, and why it still satisfies audience expectations. Side note, do you think that Sweeney Todd would ever join a glee club?

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Breaking the Romcom Formula | La La Land Part 5

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 07:00:00 -0400

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What makes La La Land such a successful romcom? How does Damien Chazelle break the romcom formula and still meet and fulfil our romcom desires? Lara and Cheryl chat about the film’s double ending and why we think it helps to both satisfy our expectations and create more meaning within the film. Stick around until the end of the episode to find out which film we will be watching next! Hint: it’s SPOOKY season!

Reference material:

Vulture article on the ending: https://www.vulture.com/2016/12/la-la-land-ending-isnt-that-sad.html

Ben Platt “Grow As We Go” Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDeNQNtW1f8

Taylor Swift “Lover” Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BjZmE2gtdo&ab_channel=TaylorSwiftVEVO

Billie Eilish “Bad Guy” Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyDfgMOUjCI&ab_channel=BillieEilishVEVO

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Selling Out | La La Land Part 4

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0400

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Why did Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) 'sell out' in La La Land and why is selling out a bad thing? In this episode, we talk about how artists may sell out not because of the money, but also because the chance to perform might be more important to them than not performing at all. We also discuss how the main characters' passion for their respective crafts got in the way of their relationship.

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Our Obsession with Hollywood | La La Land Part 3

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0400

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Why are there so many movies and TV shows about Hollywood and the concept of celebrity? What are the ways that filmmakers explore the positive and negative sides of the industry? This week, we’re talking about the film industry’s obsession with Hollywood (i.e... themselves), and we chat through why the artist’s struggle is such an appealing topic for both filmmakers to explore and for viewers to watch.

Reference material:

La La Land: Using Color | VIDEO ESSAY https://youtu.be/NPAf3a0XYNk

Indiewire article on movies about Hollywood: https://www.indiewire.com/2016/02/22-essential-films-about-hollywood-272592/

YouTuber Tiffany Ferg, has a series on Internet Analysis: https://www.youtube.com/user/tiffanyferg

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Hiring Actors Who Don’t Sing in Musicals | La La Land Part 2

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 06:00:00 -0400

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Why do movie musicals hire actors who aren’t singers or dancers to perform in the film? How did Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling fare in “La La Land”? This week, we talk about actors brought on for their star power rather than their singing ability; people who act but have another person sing for them (i.e. Zac Efron in the first High School Musical) and movies we’ve found successful despite starring unknown actors.

Reference material:

La La Land: Using Color | VIDEO ESSAY https://youtu.be/NPAf3a0XYNk

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

What is the ‘Musical’ genre? | La La Land Part 1

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 07:00:00 -0400

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What is the musical genre? Is this a genre in and of itself, or do musicals fall into other genres as well? Join us as we begin watching & discussing the super enjoyable La La Land, where we try our very best not to sing along and talk about why it took so long for Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) to meet in the first part of the film.

Reference material:

‘‘La La Land’ seriously misunderstands music. So why are its songs pretty great?’ by Mikael Wood:
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-la-la-land-music-20170225-story.html

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Critics’ View of Romcoms | When Harry Met Sally Part 4

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 05:00:00 -0400

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Why do critics love to hate on the romcom? Why aren’t “popular” films taken seriously by critics? In this episode, we talk about the reception of the romcom genre and why we think it’s important for writers and critics to take the genre and its audiences more seriously. We also announce the theme for our next season, and how it relates to When Harry Met Sally and the films we’ve watched in the romcom genre.

Reference material:

Hollywood Reporter: Why Nora Ephron's Films Made Such an Impact: A Critic's Take

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nora-ephron-death-when-harry-met-sally-342629

The Guardian: Love is (still) in the air: how the romcom came back from the dead

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/feb/08/love-is-still-in-the-air-why-the-romcom-has-come-back-from-the-dead

Film School Rejects: The Tepid Relationship between Romantic Comedies and the Oscars

https://filmschoolrejects.com/the-tepid-relationship-between-romantic-comedies-and-the-oscars/

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

BONUS | So we watched Tenet…

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 07:00:00 -0400

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What did we think of Christopher Nolan’s new film “TENET”? How does it differ from his other films? And what is it like returning to the theatre after a six-month hiatus? We discuss what makes Nolan's films more successful than other modern action blockbusters, and the importance of smart, complex action movies in 2020's film landscape. Some spoilers in this episode (starting at approx. 6:50).

Can Romcoms be Timeless? | When Harry Met Sally Part 3

Thu, 03 Sep 2020 05:00:00 -0400

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How are the most recent romcoms different from When Harry Met Sally? Why do most genres have remakes, except for the romcom genre? In this episode, we chat through some of our own hypotheses about why most romcom storylines aren’t timeless, and how, against all odds, some romcoms disrupt the genre and become classics.

Reference material:

The Guardian: Love is (still) in the air: how the romcom came back from the dead
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/feb/08/love-is-still-in-the-air-why-the-romcom-has-come-back-from-the-dead

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Nora Ephron | When Harry Met Sally Part 2

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 05:00:00 -0400

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“I’ll have what she’s having!” What makes people want to have what Nora Ephron’s having? In this episode, we talk about the Queen of romantic comedy herself, Nora Ephron, and how she shaped the romcom genre, as well as how her work endures. While watching the second part of “When Harry Met Sally”, we discuss her background and writing style, and how her journalism background influenced her screenwriting career. We also chat about why Lara (and maybe you, the listener) prefers “You’ve Got Mail” over “When Harry Met Sally”.

Reference material:

The AV Club: After When Harry Met Sally, almost every rom-com tried to have what Nora Ephron was having

https://www.avclub.com/after-when-harry-met-sally-almost-every-rom-com-tried-1823690771

Decider: ‘When Harry Met Sally’ Turns 30: A Rom-Com That Defined the Genre By Breaking the Rules

https://decider.com/2019/07/12/when-harry-met-sally-turns-30-a-rom-com-that-defined-the-genre-by-breaking-the-rules/

Hollywood Reporter: Why Nora Ephron's Films Made Such an Impact: A Critic's Take

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nora-ephron-death-when-harry-met-sally-342629

Lessons from the Screenplay: When Harry Met Sally — Breaking Genre Conventions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR2pLUHBgGM&t=6s

Beyond the Screenplay: When Harry Met Sally

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/beyond-the-screenplay/id1451724425?i=1000465574435

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Creation Of The Romcom As We Know It | When Harry Met Sally Part 1

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 05:00:00 -0400

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Let’s turn back time and talk about the evolution of the romcom and what they looked like throughout history - from Shakespeare all the way up to the late 70’s. We also talk about how the passage of time is used to reflect realistic character growth in When Harry Met Sally, and how time is an important element in the film. Join us as we witness what happens when Harry meets Sally (haha I couldn’t resist!) in the first part of what we consider the OG modern romcom. By the way, do you know what a whipped coffee is?

Reference material:

https://everymantheatre.org/sites/default/files/Romantic_Comedies_Through_the_Ages.pdf

https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/features/five-reasons-annie-hall-woody-allen

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Unrequited Love | The Half of It Part 4

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 05:00:00 -0400

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Is there anything more quintessentially ‘romantic comedy’ than unrequited love? Join us as we watch the last part of The Half of It - did we get our classic romcom happily ever after? In this episode, we talk about how the trailer formed our expectations of this film and whether the ending met those expectations. We also reveal what film we’re going to watch next - so definitely listen until the very end!

TIFF The Half of It Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO_kntgvb30

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Rewind and fast forward sounds from Zapsplat.com

Aster, the Mythical Cool Girl | The Half of It Part 3

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 05:00:00 -0400

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What is a ‘cool girl’ character and what kind of movies do we see her in? In this episode, we talk about how Aster fits into this trope and why writers should stop writing their female characters this way. We chat about whose perspective we are seeing Aster through, and why that might make Aster both different and similar to other cool girls. Lastly, we answer why we think that the cool girl trope is problematic and how it influences real life experiences.

Media mentioned:

The Cool Girl Trope, Explained: YouTube video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEKNFX7LWRk

Entertainment Weekly - Netflix’s ‘The Half of It’ is a tender examination of identity and longing: Review

https://ew.com/movies/netflix-the-half-of-it-review/

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Ellie, the Side-Character-Turned-Protagonist | The Half of It Part 2

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 05:00:00 -0400

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Is The Half of It a romcom? What is the difference between a teen movie and a romcom? Is Ellie the protagonist actually a side character in her own movie? We discuss the cinematic choices director Alice Wu makes in framing Ellie, and if the witty banter - typically used to deepen the romantic interest - affects our expectations of who the main couple actually is. Plus, the use of religion and how it helps tell the story. Join us as we continue watching how Ellie helps Paul get his dream girl in Netflix’s The Half of It.

Media mentioned: Alice Wu Breaks Down The Half Of It Opening Sequence | Netflix: YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-HluiLrsvw

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Theme Music Credit: Ultra Lights by Stefan Kartenberg (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/JeffSpeed68/61225 Ft: Javolenus

Queering the Romcom | The Half of It Part 1

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 05:00:00 -0400

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What different choices do writers and producers make when creating the modern day romcom? What diverse voices are we hearing from in The Half of It? How has The Half of It (in this part so far) followed (or not followed) the typical romcom formula from the early 2000s and 2010s? This week, we meet Ellie, Aster and Paul in Netflix’s The Half of It by Alice Wu, and explore her modern take on the teen romcom.

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Theme Music Credit: Ultra Lights by Stefan Kartenberg (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/JeffSpeed68/61225 Ft: Javolenus

Sophie’s Choice: Victor vs Charlie | Letters to Juliet Part 4

Thu, 16 Jul 2020 05:00:00 -0400

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Who does Sophie end up with, and are there any last minute obstacles that get in the way? Why do people still watch romcoms if they are not surprised by what happens in the film? What does the romcom formula promise us that other film genres don’t provide?

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Theme Music Credit: Ultra Lights by Stefan Kartenberg (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/JeffSpeed68/61225 Ft: Javolenus

Charlie and Sophie Sitting in a Tree | Letters to Juliet Part 3

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0400

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In romcoms (with straight couples), does the guy fall for the girl first? Why do romcom trailers reveal everything that is going to happen? What makes us still want to watch the film after seeing the whole story in the trailer? Why can we never remember the characters’ names? And more importantly, will Claire succeed in her search for Lorenzo as we near the end of the film?

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Theme Music Credit: Ultra Lights by Stefan Kartenberg (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/JeffSpeed68/61225 Ft: Javolenus

Charlie the Grumpy Grandson | Letters to Juliet Part 2

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 13:00:00 -0400

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Is the romcom genre complete without some character development? Do romcoms have to have a happily ever after to fit into the genre? This week, we meet Charlie (Christopher Egan), who may or may not be Sophie’s romantic interest in the film. We also meet Claire (Vanessa Redgrave), Charlie’s grandmother, who has come back to Italy to find a former love interest.

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

And we’re off to Italy! | Letters to Juliet Part 1

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 13:00:00 -0400

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What is the romcom formula? And what do we expect to happen when we watch romcoms? In this episode, we talk about the romcom formula, trailer music, Amanda Seyfried’s hair and more, while joining Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) on her pre-wedding trip to Verona, Italy in Letters to Juliet.

**Excuse the beeping in the background, it's only on this episode!**

Trailer Music Mentioned:

Audiomachine channel: https://www.youtube.com/audiomachine/featured

“Avatar” Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ziBFh3V1aM

Guardians at the Gate (from “Avatar”): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2owrEDrgc_4

My Name is Lincoln (from “The Island”): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iu-t1n821M

Sunshine (Adagio in D Minor): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGbC730C4BA

“Sunshine” Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8BSlqHAhuY&t=23s

Requiem For a Dream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veC25b8Vd2E

Movie Credit: All movie content belongs to the filmmaker, producers and creatives.

Theme Music Credit: Ultra Lights by Stefan Kartenberg (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/JeffSpeed68/61225 Ft: Javolenus