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Strange and Beautiful Book Club

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Long time partners, Rachel and Matt, bring their unique blend of wit and weirdness to the worlds of sci-fi, horror, and fantasy. From quirky movie reviews to lively book discussions, they keep you entertained and informed with their mature humor and infectious enthusiasm. Join them as they chase their little nerd hearts through the genres they love.
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Episodes

"Prayer for the Crown Shy" by Becky Chambers - Did I just almost cry about a fish!?

THE VERY LAST Feast, Sheath, and Shatter: A Book Chat Podcast Episode (Formerly Book Talks with Kate) to be released on the Strange and Beautiful Book Club stream. After this they will be moving to their VERY OWN STREAM - Feast, Sheath, and Shatter: A Book Chat Podcast There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between (but mostly spicy!). It's like sitting down with girl friends to chat about hot ...

Jun 21, 20231 hr 6 minEp. 87

2023 Pride Collection - "In The Flesh (Season 2 Ep.3)" - In which we find a way to like Gary even less.

Fund Season 3 here: 2023 Pride Collection - "In The Flesh (Season 2 Ep.3)" - In which we find a way to like Gary even less. 2023 Pride Collection - "In The Flesh (Season 2 Ep.3)" - In which we find a way to like Gary even less. There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between (but mostly spicy!). It's like sitting down with girl friends to chat about hot book boyfriends but in podcast format! Lis...

Jun 19, 20231 hr 21 minEp. 86

2023 Pride Collection - "In the Flesh (Season 2 Ep 1)" - Kieren just hurry up and go to Paris already.

Kieren is back and he's got a job. We pick up some time after the events of the last episode and I can already tell we are going to harder on story this season so color us EXCITED. There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between (but mostly spicy!). It's like sitting down with girl friends to chat about hot book boyfriends but in podcast format! Listen now at Feast, Sheath, Shatter: A Book Chat ...

Jun 12, 202353 minEp. 84

"Fifth Element (1997)" - Technicolor Science Fiction perfection.

Bright, bold, ambitious and so narratively tight you couldn't fit a postcard in between the plot points. This movie was, and still is, sheer perfection. A shining example of the sincere ambition that we love so much in 90s movies so, naturally, we had to gush about it for an hour. Kate joined in the fun! There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between (but mostly spicy!). It's like sitting down ...

Jun 09, 20231 hr 31 minEp. 83

"Psalm for the Wild Built" by Becky Chambers - Is it a book or a comfortable cup of tea?

Introducing Feast Sheath and Shatter! The new name for the Book Talks with Kate! In July, Feast Sheath and Shatter will be permanently moving to it's own stream. Check back in the show notes for the links mentioned at the top of the podcast (as usual, I'm still getting it together but don't worry, I'm working on it!) ;) There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between (but mostly spicy!). It's li...

Jun 07, 202355 minEp. 82

2023 Pride Collection - "In the Flesh (Season 1 Episode 3)" - Two truths and a lie

The next episode in our 2023 Pride Collection. This is the third and last episode of In the Flesh's initial season and it's a really really good one. Prepare to have those heart strings tugged because this episode was an emotional rollercoaster for every character. Trigger Warning: This episode of the Strange and Beautiful Book Club as well as the episode of In the Flesh contain discussions of suicide. This episode of our podcast has a much more serious tone than many of our previous episodes be...

Jun 07, 202355 minEp. 81

2023 Pride Collection - "In the Flesh (Season 1 Episode 2)" - Might want to see a doctor about that Toxic Masculinity.

Trigger Warning: This episode of the Strange and Beautiful Book Club as well as the episode of In the Flesh contain discussions of suicide. This episode of our podcast has a much more serious tone than many of our previous episodes because the themes that this show deal with resonate deeply in anyone who believes that all people deserved to be treated with kindness and respect like the sovereign individuals they are. Pride is about celebrating the vast spectrum of human sexual and social express...

Jun 04, 202353 minEp. 80

2023 Pride Collection - "In the Flesh (Season 1 Ep.1)" - Let's Meet the Partially Deceased

Our first introduction to the cast and characters of this wildly layered, emotionally engaging show about Partially Deceased Syndrome Suffers (don't call them Zombies!). Kieran heads home to rejoin his family as a reformed member of the previously completely dead and now only a little dead and the results are predictably rocky. Trigger Warning: This episode of the Strange and Beautiful Book Club as well as the episode of In the Flesh contain discussions of suicide. This episode of our podcast ha...

Jun 01, 202350 minEp. 79

Waterworld (1995) - "Beyond the horizon lies the secret to a new beginning."

Kevin Costner stars in this gluttonously ambitious film about a man adapted for life on the water in world made of water where no one else is adapted to water and the Jelly is real. We ponder such intriguing questions as, does he have bones or cartilege and what equipment is he working with (if you know what I mean!) Winky Face Emoji. There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between (but mostly s...

May 26, 20231 hr 57 minEp. 77

Soldier (1998) - "A fallen hero has one last battle to fight"

Kurt Russell stars as Todd, a now obsolete soldier who must carve out a new life on a trash planet but finds himself thwarted at every turn by his utter lack of people skills. Luckily, it's his talent for destruction that ends up winning the hearts of the community of refugees (those that survive at least) There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between (but mostly spicy!). It's like sitting dow...

May 19, 20231 hr 50 minEp. 74

Near Dark (1987) - "We keep odd hours."

Have you ever asked yourself, what if half the cast of Alien were vampires in a vampire movie that wanted to be a western but couldn't be a western because it was the 80s and nobody wanted westerns? Look no further because Near Dark is here for you. We chat through this vampire movie (that never says the word vampire) with Erik from Cradle2theGrave podcast. Check him out at the links below! Find Erik's Instagram here: Cradle2theGravePod Find your favorite spot to listen to his podcast here: Link...

May 12, 202351 minEp. 71

Highlander 2: The Quickening (1991) - "Remember Highlander the first movie? Good, we don't either."

We polish this absolutely amazing turd of a movie from 1991 in which everyone collectively worked together to create a sequel for a movie none of them had ever seen or heard of or had any interest in learning about. A delightful flash in the pan that came, burned of-so-dimly and then every fan everywhere collectively agreed to pretend never existed. Needless to say, we had a blast. Is Ramirez a Sayan? Maybe. Did Matt almost lose his mind trying to rationally how a subway car is capable of the sp...

May 05, 20231 hr 11 minEp. 68

The Brave Little Toaster (1987) - "From Heartwarming to Horrifying"

Let's unpack some of the trauma that led us to the quirky podcasters we are today and we owe no small part of that to this movie. It's so rife with repressed horrors that Matt took almost a week to make it through the movie (not an exaggeration). Listen in to find out why this "Pixar prototype" is nightmare fuel for ours and all subsequent generations. Book referenced in podcast was "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" by Kate DiCamillo. There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! ...

Apr 28, 20231 hr 20 minEp. 66

Drunk Fantasy Review - "Dungeons and Dragons - Honor Among Thieves (2023)"

We had another movie planned but things are wild right now and we decided that getting you all an episode this week was of greater moral significance than sticking to our usual rotation. Have high hopes of being back on schedule next week! But until then, please enjoy this review of the Dungeons and Dragons movie... drunk. If you're wondering what type of drunks we are you will be happy to know its both happy and philosophical which leads to us coining such phrases as: -"Rum Rambling" -"The Bull...

Apr 21, 202359 minEp. 64

Equilibrium (2002) - "In the near future, freedom is a thing of the past."

We discuss this near future post apocalyptic (kind of) dystopian film with lots of martial arts and guns. So many guns. The world, and a puppy, are saved by Christian Bale in this fast paced, super fun action flick that leaves couldn't be more entertaining if it tried. And it tries. Listen in to find out why we love it so much! There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between (but mostly spicy!)....

Apr 07, 20231 hr 7 minEp. 59

Vesper (2022) - "One Seed can change everything."

This movie had so many pieces of wonderful bits that it feels like a shame they couldn't stitch it together into the beautiful whole it definitely could have been. Beautiful filming, beautiful location, fabulous actors and ideas but... listen to find out why this was a very rare "did not love" from Matt and I! There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between (but mostly spicy!). It's like sitting...

Mar 31, 20231 hr 2 minEp. 56

Frailty (2001) - "Only Demons should fear me and you're not a demon, are you?"

We discuss the 2001 psychological horror masterpiece, Frailty with Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe and Matthew McConaughey in which Bill Paxton good-naturedly leads his children towards their destiny of kidnapping and destroying "demons" because the trophy on his dresser told him too. Weird, brutal, and a work of art. There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between (but mostly spicy!). It's like sitt...

Mar 24, 20231 hr 5 minEp. 53

Krull (1983) - "Rocks in our pockets and a tombstone over our heads."

The 30 million dollar (roughly 90 million today) fantasy epic that is the very definition of style over substance. Lets face it, a million went to the main actor's pants and we all know it. An epic tale of the triumph of love over everything, including giant magical space beasts who fly mountains around the void and kidnap princesses for kicks. There's horses that can shoot fire from their hooves, sword-lasers (Not Laser-swords, this isn't THAT movie), and a lady who redefines the meaning of emo...

Mar 17, 20231 hr 55 minEp. 50

Wing Commander (1999) or "It's not faith, it's genetics!"

It's naval battles... in space. With fighter ships named after swords and space ships shaped like submarines. There's a plot, we think, and someone acted but we couldn't say who. Obviously we freaking loved this movie. For more horrible movie recommendations and book commentary, follow us on Instagram or Patreon ! References: Babylon 5 Near Dark Wing Commander Video Games Bladerunner Battlestar Galactica My Best Friend is Vampire Odo - DS9 Scooby Doo Hackers Hercule Poirot Highlander Firefly Sta...

Mar 10, 20231 hr 30 minEp. 47

Annihilation(2018) - "If I wasn't Kane, what was I? Was I you? Were you me?"

Matt and I tackle this absolute gem, a PRISM if you will, of a horror movie. Surrealist, visually stunning, and absolutely horrific in all the right places. Natalie Portman shines in this female centered horror movie. Love. Find us on Instagram or Patreon . Love to have you in the BEST FRIENDS CLUB! . There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between (but mostly spicy!). It's like sitting down wit...

Mar 03, 20231 hr 18 minEp. 44

The Fountain (2006) or "Death is a disease, just like any other."

In depth discussion of the 2006 visually stunning gem starring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz, "The Fountain". A simple, but powerfully told story of life, death and the acceptance of mortality. We had a lot of fun with this one and we hope you enjoy listening! Trying for a shorter, more freeform format. There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between (but mostly spicy!). It's like sitting down w...

Feb 24, 20231 hr 10 minEp. 41

Enemy Mine (1985) or "Your Mickey Mouse is one big stupid dope!"

Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. are pure magic in a movie that takes on one of the most quintessential life lessons that we should all embrace: no prejudice can survive understanding. Davidge is a space-fighter for the human army that is embroiled in a territorial war with an enemy known as the Drac. When Davidge is marooned on a planet with an enemy fighter he is forced to confront a Drac in person for the first time. A beautifully written, poignant, brilliantly acted and dear-to-my-heart Sc...

Feb 17, 20231 hr 51 minEp. 40

Wisdom of the Crocodiles or "The line that separates good and evil cuts through every human heart."

We are joined by Erik Hanson of the "Cradle to the Grave" Podcast to discuss a little known Jude Law vampire movie called "Wisdom of the Crocodiles" or, more inanely, "Immortality." Although the movie in no way mentions immortality and thats generic and I'm not receiving it right now. I first saw this movie back when the internet was still delivered to your mailbox via discs in little red envelopes and I've had something of a soft spot for it every since. Jude Law and all the actors in the film ...

Feb 10, 20231 hr 15 minEp. 38

Solomon Kane (2009) - "The Devil will have his due."

In which we discuss the entertaining but not deep fantasy epic of 2009 starring James Purefoy as the bad-ass puritan warrior involuntarily bound for Hell. References: The Wisdom of the Crocodiles The IT Crowd Breath of Fire 2 Smoke Signals Being Human (UK Version) The Watchmen There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between (but mostly spicy!). It's like sitting down with girl friends to chat ab...

Feb 05, 20231 hr 20 minEp. 35

"Dark City (1998)" or "The only place home exists in your mind."

Matt and I delve deep into the 1998 Noir masterpiece that starred Rufus Sewell and Jennifer Connelly along with William Hurt and so many more surprising actors. This is a perennial favorite in our house and we hope you love hearing us chat about it. As always, please be sure you've watched the movie first unless you dearly love spoilers (It can happen, I love them very much.) Random references in this episode include (but are probably not limited to): Jumper Napoleon Dynamite Effect Winters Tale...

Jan 28, 20232 hr 6 minEp. 34

Defense of Everything Everywhere All at Once and Outtakes: Book Talk with Kate (Murderbot 3 and 4)

Outtakes from our most recent episode of Book Talk with Kate! Includes her defense of Everything Everywhere All at Once, the answer to the question of whether you can store chips in your pant cuffs, Rachel's treatise on why Babylon 5 is the most groundbreaking and underrated seminal Sci-Fi show every made, and more! There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious books, and everything in between (but mostly spicy!). It's like s...

Jan 22, 202338 minEp. 30

"Jennifer's Body (2009)" or "Do you get all your murder weapons at Home Depot?"

We had more fun than a barrel full of murderous teenagers possessed by the Beast. We cover everything from the clinical definition of erotic to the fact that Matt, for once, is happy there isn't more nudity. This movie gave us a lot to chat about and CHAT WE DID. If what you've been missing in life is an hour and forty five minutes of Megan Fox snarking and snacking her way through the high school boy population then this movie is for you and so is this podcast. There's more from the Strange and...

Jan 20, 20232 hr 19 minEp. 29
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