Brandon talks about his recent struggles with anxiety and realizing that he's had chronic anxiety for a long time. Anxiety looks a lot different than he initially thought. Maria asks probing questions.
Brandon and Maria review the 2019 film Jojo Rabbit, discussing the movie’s interesting way of telling a World War II story, as well as why that works in this film. Brandon explores nationalism and how that is seen in the U.S. today, and Maria explores the psychology of imaginary friends.
Thoughts on the 2010s in film Different perspectives Black cinema went mainstream and is largely just considered cinema Get Out, Black Panther, Moonlight, 12 Years a Slave, Sorry to Bother You, BlacKkKlansman, Selma 1 Oscar for Best Picture, 2 for Best Screenplay Female characters and directors also getting more of a chance in the spotlight … Continue reading Minisode: Our Favorite Movies 2010-2019
Brandon and Maria welcome guests Stephanie and Tux to discuss the 2013 film 12 Years a Slave. Stephanie and Tux’s podcast Beyond Reproach is a history podcast about scandals and scandalousness in politics and government, and so they fit right into the discussion of this film, and they help us to unravel the history behind when the movie takes place, which is the pre-Civil War era. They also discuss how hard the film can be to watch but agree that sometimes that pain is necessary. Plus, Brandon r...
During this not-so-mini miniature episode, Brandon and Maria discuss Borderline Personality Disorder. Maria reveals a past diagnosis with BPD, and she talks about navigating through this realization.
Maria and Brandon discuss Jordan Peele’s 2017 horror film Get Out. They both enjoy the film for its messages about racism, especially how the film addresses modern racism. Racism today is not overt; instead, it’s more subtle, but ultimately about power over Black people.
A mini-episode in which Brandon discusses his movie crushes, many of which involve mental illness because it's Brandon.
Maria and Brandon discuss the 2018 Spike Lee film BlacKkKlansman and what it has to say with systemic racism in America, focusing on the importance of the movie’s message, as well as describing how racial trauma disproportionately affects Black and Indigenous People of Color. They also make connections between toxic masculinity, the police, and racism.
Maria and Brandon discuss the 1999 film American Beauty, and they don't like Lester this time around. They discuss how the movie embodies the 1990s and a white male fantasy (what else is new). Maria also talks about her various hospitalizations due to mental health issues. It’s the episode where Brandon sums it up eloquently: Lester Burnham is the type of person who wouldn’t wear a mask during a pandemic.
Maria and Brandon discuss the 1981 accidental comedy Mommie Dearest. The episode is riddled with bad Joan Crawford impressions. The hosts discuss Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; trauma and abuse; and Borderline Personality Disorder.
Maria admits she doesn't like Kevin Smith movies as much as she used to; Brandon admits he's never really liked Kevin Smith movies. Chasing Amy gets some things right and a lot of things wrong, but it still has a place in cinema history.
Brandon and Maria discuss Love & Other Drugs, a 2010 film whose only interesting thing is that it contains Parkinson’s. They talk about the movie’s accurate portrayal of someone dealing with a chronic illness. Also, in celebration of Jake, Brandon plays the new game, “When’s That Gyllenhaal?”
Brandon and Maria discuss the 1986 film She’s Gotta Have It, directed by Spike Lee. They wax intellectual on the film’s smart nature and its feminist views and how that relates to how life for women was changing in the 1980s.
Some of the things people do to help others with mental illness cause more harm than good. In this mini-episode, Maria and Brandon discuss these things that people often say with the best intentions that just make things worse.
Special episode in which Maria and Brandon talk about how the pandemic has affected them personally, their mental health, and what's working to keep their sanity intact.
Brandon and Maria discuss Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), one of Maria’s first loves. The movie is extremely nostalgic for her, and Brandon talks about how that relates to mental health. Maria also re-caps her recent event that she attended with Paul Reubens for the 35th anniversary of this movie.
Maria and Brandon discuss the 2016 film Colossal, a film with a big monster, but ultimately a film not about actual monsters. They spend time talking about all the metaphors that present themselves in this film, and take an even deeper dive into the film’s portrayal of abuse and addiction.
Brandon and Maria discuss the 1987 Best Picture winner The Last Emperor. They didn’t really like it. Did we really need to see a young Puyi take a shit? Probably not. Regardless, the two discuss how this movie relates to Attachment Disorder and ponder what Freud may have said about the breast-fed Puyi. Plus, a new game: Pick that Shit.
Maria and Brandon reveal the new 2019 movies that will be added to their list of films to cover! (Not a real episode.)
Juno is an excellent portrayal of ADHD and touches on teen pregnancy and postpartum depression. Also, Maria really likes Sonic Youth.
Maria and Brandon discuss the 1982 Academy Award-winning film Gandhi, including what they knew about Gandhi and what they now know. Brandon digs into the psychology of protest, and Maria tries to connect Jimmy Hoffa and Gandhi. Also, Maria loves shame, so watch out, because she might shame you!
Brandon and Maria talk about Office Space and Sorry to Bother You. Both focus on the workforce, but have different takes on it. Brandon dissects the movie through the lens of Gen Xers vs. Millennials; Maria rambles about genres and meaning.
Brandon and Maria discuss the 2017 indie film darling Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and talk about the brilliant performances and script, and what this film has to say about the nature of good people and bad people.
1983’s Best Picture Winner, Terms of Endearment, stuns Brandon and Maria with unanswered questions, movie cancer, and an unrealistic portrayal of mental health. This film just seems to get so many things wrong. But hey, at least it’s not Shakespeare in Love, right? Brandon thinks anything is better than Terms of Endearment—even Shakespeare in Love.
Brandon and Maria discuss Scarface, the 1983 crime film classic, and talk about the pressures immigrants in America face, as well as the interesting techniques used in this film and whether mental illness contributes to violent crime.
Brandon and Maria discuss Carol, the 2015 film about two lesbians in 1950s America. We talk about anxiety, the patriarchy making life tough for women, and the stress of being “the other.” Also, doctors did WHAT for hysteria?! And is this movie is too smart for Brandon or what?
Brandon and Maria discuss the 2006 film Marie Antoinette, a historical drama directed by Sofia Coppola. They muse on the film's ultimate purpose, its modern tone, and what feminism, sexism, racism—all the isms—have to do with mental health. Also, Maria sucks at history and invents something called a Housekeeping Segment, and Brandon can’t seem to take us away.
Mini-episode in which Brandon goes over the top 5 mental illnesses (by number of diagnoses) and talks about the best portrayals of each in film. Wait—How to Train Your Dragon is about mental illness? Brandon thinks so!
Mini-episode in which Brandon reminisces on his experiences growing up with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, using three teen films at least partly about mental illness to discuss.
Brandon and Maria tackle the 1989 film, including an in-depth look at Romanticism, discussion of the film's portrayal of suicide, and a brief overview of Robin Williams' life and death.
