This week, Gavia and Morgan take a look at Marvel's latest hit, the Benedict Cumberbatch-fronted "Doctor Strange." Why is this movie so critically acclaimed? Will Hollywood ever stop making movies about arrogant genius white men? And what's up with all the racism?
This week, Gavia and Morgan celebrate Halloween with "Carrie." Starting with that bizarre locker room scene, they discuss the film's depiction of gender, the horror of restraint, Sissy Spacek's hair, and their own considerably less eventful proms.
In this episode, Gavia and Morgan dive into Robert Altman's classic film "Nashville," a sprawling ensemble set in the 1970s country music scene. Topics discussed include the film's depiction of women, its status as an unconventional musical, its politics, and... Jeff Goldblum.
In their second dispatch from the London Film Festival, Morgan and Gavia discuss Kenneth Lonergan's heartbreaking masterpiece "Manchester by the Sea," as well as "Certain Women," Kelly Reichardt's exquisite adaptation of Maile Meloy's "Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It," which won Best Film at the festival's awards ceremony. They also run down other films they saw at the fest, including "Una," "A Quiet Passion," "Wolf and Sheep," and more.
In the first of two dispatches from the London Film Festival, Morgan and Gavia discuss three films: Damien Chazelle's Oscar-buzzy musical "La La Land"; Jim Jarmusch's drama "Paterson," with Adam Driver; and Olivier Assayas' odd supernatural drama "Personal Shopper," starring Kristen Stewart. Coming soon: "Manchester by the Sea," "Certain Women," and more.
In this week's episode, Morgan and Gavia discuss the 2007 film "Atonement." Topics include, but are not limited to: the difficulties of adapting an unadaptable novel, WWII in film, Great House dramas, That Ending, and whatever happened to James McAvoy.
After a brief hiatus, Morgan and Gavia return to discuss the first presidential debate. Through a haze of existential despair, they discuss topics including, but not limited to, debate strategy or lack thereof, Hillary Clinton's extraordinary self-control, Donald Trump's sexist buffoonery, the futility of fact-checking, when ISIS was founded anyway, and whether anything matters.
This week, Morgan and Gavia revel in the Gene Kelly classic "Singin' in the Rain." Topics discussed include the film's relationship to Hollywood, its treatment of women, its influence on contemporary film, and why it's just so damn fun to watch.
This week, Gavia and Morgan look back on the summer's movies and wonder what went wrong—possible answers include Hollywood's superhero problem and its remake obsession—and look forward to some of the more dire upcoming big-budget releases. They also recommend some of the best films of the year so far.
This week, Morgan and Gavia (but mostly Morgan) discuss the Rio Olympics, starting with The Saga of Ryan Lochte and moving on to topics including but not limited to the inherent problems with the Olympic Games, NBC's bad coverage, Michael Phelps' hyperbaric chamber, Simone Biles' dominance, and men crying.
In this week's episode, Morgan and Gavia dissect what may be the year's worst film, the DC extended universe's "Suicide Squad." They cover the film's many flaws, from its incomprehensible plot to its myriad cast of unnecessary characters to its problems with sexism and violence, in addition to discussing its troubled production history and how it fits into DC's plan for the franchise moving forward.
In this bonus episode, Gavia recounts the often bewildering plot of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to Morgan," who hasn't read it and isn't planning to. Spoilers abound. Other topics include the play's similarity to fanfiction, queerbaiting, reboot culture, and when to just let go.
This week, Morgan and Gavia finally go deep on their favorite show, the long-running "America," in its historic 240th and final season. They discuss the surprising twist in this season's Republican primary, how the internet fueled Trump and Sanders fandom, perennial representation issues, and what the last few months of the most popular TV show in the country might have in store.
Morgan and Gavia check in from their summer travels. This chat show episode somehow spans Star Wars Celebration, Michelangelo, Morgan's high school history curriculum, and Pokemon Go. Tune back in next week for a special episode and a return to regular programming.
Gavia and Morgan go deep on one of their favorite films, Alfonso Cuarón's 2006 dystopian quasi-thriller "Children of Men." On top of some fond reminiscing and general enthusiasm, they consider the film's technical mastery, how its political commentary has aged, and the glory of Clive Owen at his peak.
Morgan and Gavia dive into AMC's adaptation of the cult comic "Preacher." Topics include genre, pacing and the trickiness of adaptation, the show's less than mesmerizing central character, gender and race issues, and the greatness of Ruth Negga and Joseph Gilgun.
In a departure from regular programming, Gavia and Morgan spend this week explaining and shouting about Brexit, the EU membership referendum that sent both the United Kingdom and global markets into chaos last week. Their discussion spans the referendum's key figures, from Prime Minister David Cameron to professional toad Nigel Farage, its potential consequences for the UK, the embarrassing state of the Labour Party, and, of course, how Donald Trump fits into everything.
In a slow week for pop culture, Morgan and Gavia try something new: forcing each other to watch something they know they'd only watch under duress. Morgan subjects Gavia to Noah Baumbach's indie dramedy "Frances Ha," while Gavia forces Morgan to endure the Wachowskis' psychadelic action flick "Speed Racer." Though chosen with the best of intentions, the films... do not go over well. You can't win 'em all.
Gavia and Morgan discuss Kathryn Bigelow's "Point Break," covering topics including the film's homoerotic subtext, Bigelow's strength as a director, Keanu Reeves' glorious blankness, Patrick Swayze's glorious mullet, and how the film differs from other entries in the action-bro genre.
Morgan and Gavia discuss Whit Stillman's adaptation of Jane Austen's unfinished novel "Lady Susan," "Love & Friendship." Topics discussed include the trick of adapting Austen for the screen, how "Love & Friendship" and "Lady Susan" differ from Austen's other work, Austen fandom, and the funniest five minutes either of your intrepid co-hosts have seen in a movie so far this year.
Gavia and Morgan discuss "X-Men: Apocalypse," the latest installment of the rebooted X-Men franchise. Topics include but are not limited to: makeovers, the new crop of teens, diversity (or lack thereof), villain issues, the most expendable family in recent blockbuster history, and a single tear.
Gavia and Morgan travel back in time to 2010 to revisit "Inception." Topics include, but are not limited to, fandom, the problem of exposition, Christopher Nolan's oeuvre, Tom Hardy's funny voices, what has happened to Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and those costumes.
Morgan and Gavia have it out over "Captain America: Civil War," which Gav enjoyed very much and Morgan hated. Who will come out on top? Is it possible to win an argument about a movie? You'll just have to listen to find out. Topics discussed include but are not limited to: narrative issues, Black Panther and character cross-promotion, and Marvel's most incredible "no homo" moment yet.
Gavia and Morgan revisit the top-grossing movie of all time, James Cameron's "Avatar." Topics discussed include but are not limited to the film's groundbreaking VFX, its confused political messaging, its four pending sequels, Sam Worthington's accent, and whether or not James Cameron is a furry.
Morgan and Gavia discuss Tina Fey and Robert Carlock's Netflix sitcom "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," including but not limited to: boggling at its racism, comparing it to "30 Rock," admiring its depiction of trauma and therapy, and considering the problem with TV writers' rooms. Plus, a tease for next week.
Morgan and Gavia discuss Jeff Nichols' new film "Midnight Special," the death of the mid-budget studio movie, Michael Shannon, whether or not Joel Edgerton is actually Sam Worthington, and the problem with space Dubai.
Bonus episode: Morgan and Gavia try to make sense of the first trailer for "Doctor Strange," a task harder than it sounds.
Gavia and Morgan discuss Ta-Nehisi Coates' new Black Panther comic, delve into the history of the character, and speculate speciously on the character's potential role in "Captain America: Civil War" before going deep on what (doesn't) make a Marvel director, and how "Creed's" Ryan Coogler might break the mold.
Morgan and Gavia discuss Richard Linklater's new college comedy, "Everybody Wants Some!!," and then take a look back at his 1993 cult classic "Dazed and Confused," marvel at how time has treated Ben Affleck and Matthew McConaughey, and take a look at some other teen movies.
Gavia and Morgan break in the podcast by diving into the fascinating disaster that is Batman v Superman, covering everything from Wonder Woman to DC's extended universe growing pains to the film's problems with violence, and Batman's killer workout routine.
