This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Steven Soderbergh's return to feature filmmaking, the NASCAR heist flick "Logan Lucky." They are joined by West Virginia native Kevin Collier for a discussion of the film's depiction of the state, its treatment of class, how it compares to "Ocean's Eleven" and "Magic Mike," and more.
This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the classic Hannibal adaptation "The Silence of the Lambs." Topics discussed include how the the film's gender politics have aged, how different adaptations have approached the character, Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Fosters' performances, and more.
This week, Morgan and Gavia chat about recent theater, including the Public Theater's production of Hamlet, starring Oscar Isaac, and a selection of shows Gav has seen at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Discussion incorporates both serious theater talk and an in-depth analysis of actor heights.
This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss 1999's beloved cult classic "The Mummy." Topics include, but are not limited to, how the film draws on 1950s film tropes, the lasting appeal of Rachel Weisz's plucky librarian, Brendan Fraser's glorious nineties hair, and the baffling decision to "reboot" the franchise with Tom Cruise.
This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Christopher Nolan's time-bending World War II epic "Dunkirk." Topics discussed include the film's depiction of masculinity and race, what the deal is with 70mm anyway, Tom Hardy's face, and... Harry Styles.
This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the HBO sitcom Silicon Valley. Topics discussed include, but are not limited to, how the show has changed over time, its painfully accurate satire of Silicon Valley culture, its depiction of male sexuality, and the irresistible genius of Zach Woods.
This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the latest reboot of Spider-Man, "Spider-Man: Homecoming." Topics discussed include, but are not limited to, the film's refreshing teen spirit, Peter's similarities to Miles Morales, Tom Holland's boundless charm, and how it fits into the greater MCU and the superhero landscape as a whole.
This week, Morgan and Gavia diverge on Edgar Wright's pop-heist film 'Baby Driver." Topics discussed include, but are not limited to, Ansel Elgort's surprising charm, the film's women, Jon Hamm's haircut, and cinematic joy.
[UPDATED] Morgan and Gavia return from a hiatus to discuss the blockbuster of the summer, Patty Jenkins' extended universe-saving "Wonder Woman." Topics discussed include: how the film compares to other superhero origin stories, its refreshing earnestness, the pluses and minuses of the WWI setting, Gal Gadot and Chris Pine's winning charm, and the glorious sight of Robin Wright murdering a bunch of dudes.
This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the new adaptation of Neil Gaiman's classic fantasy novel "American Gods." Topics include changes from the book, the show's distinctive style, how it compares to showrunner Bryan Fuller's cult hit "Hannibal," and its treatment of race and religion.
This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss "Alien: Covenant," the latest installment in Ridley Scott's ever-growing "Alien" franchise. Topics discussed include how blockbusters have changed in the last forty years, practical vs. digital effects, and the indelible pairing of Fassbender and Fassbender.
This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Anna Rose Holmer's 2016 indie "The Fits." Topics include the horrors of middle school, hysteria outbreaks, kids on film, and the movie's masterful use of cinematic language.
This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the cult classic Romy and Michele's High School Reunion in honor of its twentieth anniversary. Topics include the film's refreshing narrative structure, its surreal costume design, and its celebration of ditziness.
This week, Morgan and Gavia answer listener questions. They discuss future episodes, Hollywood trends they could do without, political art, and address a vital Pacific Rim/HDM crossover query—and more.
This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Frank Capra's 1939 classic "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." Topics include, but are not limited to, how the film's message reads today, that filibuster sequence, The Power of Jimmy Stewart, and why Jean Arthur can't catch a break.
This week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Jordan Peele's horror hit "Get Out." Topics include the film's genius casting, how it compares to other recent horror films, and the promise of the "social thriller." Spoilers ahead!
This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss FX's new X-Men show, "Legion." They compare the original and frequently bizarre series to Logan and the other X-Men films, speculate about what exactly makes it so special, and take a moment to appreciate Phase 2 of Dan Stevens' storied career.
This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss "Logan," Hugh Jackman's last hurrah as Wolverine and a welcome change of pace for the X-Men franchise. Topics include the movie's unusually compelling emotional core, its questionable use of violence, and Hugh Jackman's terrifying diet.
Morgan and Gavia give a quick recap of the weirdest Oscar night in recent memory, from that bizarre ending to... a thrilling upset in sound editing.
Morgan and Gavia return to discuss the most important cultural event of the year... the Academy Awards. First, they run through likely winners (and deserving losers) in every category, from sound editing to best picture; then, they take reader questions. Happy Oscar watching!
In this week's episode, Morgan and Gavia discuss Pablo Larraín's new film "Jackie," starring Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy. Topics include the film's deviation from standard biopic structure, its relationship with history (and what it says about history), Natalie Portman's performance, Mica Levi's score, and why female-led films don't do better at the Oscars.
This week, Gavia and Morgan finally discuss what is truly Gavia's pop culture obsession of the moment: the figure skating anime that has taken the world by storm, "Yuri on Ice." Topics include the show's relationship to real-life figure skating culture and technique, its thoughtful depiction of anxiety, its multiple narrators, and more.
This week, Gavia and Morgan dive into the latest (and last?) season of the BBC's tarnished crown jewel, "Sherlock." When did the show go south, and how? Is a text affair a real affair or not (answer: yes)? And, most pressingly, will Steven Moffat ever write a plausible female character again (answer: no)?
Morgan and Gavia start 2017 off with a bang with a full-throated endorsement of the Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard vehicle "Assassin's Creed." Topics discussed include: sensible office-wear, Patsy Cline, Google Maps inside your brain, Jeremy Irons doing his Jeremy Irons thing, and, of course, parkour.
In their last episode of the year, Morgan and Gavia ruminate on Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence's sci-fi romance "Passengers," the best-worst film of the year. Questions include: How did this happen? Does Chris Pratt know he's playing a psychopath? Why does Jennifer Lawrence's skin look like that? Has Morten Tyldum ever watched a movie set in space before? And so on, and so forth.
This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the new Star Wars prequel film, "Rogue One." They dive into the film's racial diversity, its gender imbalance, reshoot issues, that ending, and why Diego Luna should probably just get his own movie already.
This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Mary Harron's 2000 cult classic "American Psycho." Topics discussed include the book's checkered history, the film's depiction of violence, Christian Bale's beautiful shiny face, the film's relationship with "Fight Club," and why having a woman director really does matter.
This week, Gavia and Morgan look back at "Casablanca." They discuss why the love story is so satisfying, how the studio system has changed, and how the film functions as a piece of propaganda and relates to our current political moment.
This week, Gavia and Morgan discuss the enjoyable but flawed first installment in the new Harry Potter franchise, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." Topics include the movie's worldbuilding, its problems with race, Colin Farrell's suits, and the future of the franchise.
In this week's episode, Gavia and Morgan discuss the new sci-fi hit "Arrival," a rare non-franchise entry into 2016's blockbuster lineup. Topics discussed include how the film steers clear of alien invasion cliches, the pleasures of a brainy female protagonist, and the effect of the election on pop culture.
