This week, Gavia reports back from DC's disappointing mega-blockbuster Justice League. Morgan refused to see this film on principle, so Gav gives a full report on the film's aesthetic mediocrity, the unfortunate effects of all that reshooting, and what on earth is going on with Ben Affleck.
Read MoreThis week, Gavia and Morgan revisit their childhoods with Philip Pullman's new novel La Belle Sauvage, the first installment of his new trilogy The Book of Dust, a companion to His Dark Materials. They discuss this book's relationship to Pullman's earlier trilogy, earnest children, frightening villains, Oxford, and—for some reason—Edmund Spenser's living situation.
Read MoreThis week, Morgan and Gavia discuss Taika Waititi's masterful addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor: Ragnarok. Topics include Chris Hemsworth's comedic chops, the film's eye-popping design and postcolonial politics, and more.
Read MoreThis week, Gavia and Morgan celebrate Halloween by watching Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 horror classic, Bram Stoker's Dracula. They discuss how it diverges from other Dracula films, its unconventional romance, Keanu Reeves' worst performance, and Gavia's dream Frankenstein adaptation.
Read MoreThis week, Gavia and Morgan are joined by special guest Mallory Ortberg for a conversation about Netflix's surprise true crime spoof American Vandal. They discuss the show's relationship to true crime, its glorious depiction of dirtbag teens and innovative use of social media, and the relief of watching something that just feels not-terrible.
Read MoreThis week, Morgan and Gavia report back from the New York and London Film Festivals, where they saw an eclectic collection of films including The Florida Project, BPM, Mudbound, Lady Bird, The Meyerowitz Stories, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and more.
Read MoreThis week, Gavia and Morgan are lukewarm on Denis Villeneuve's sequel to Ridley Scott's 1982 sci-fic classic Blade Runner. Topics of discussion include the films problems with women, its overly complicated screenplay, Harrison Ford's best performance in years, and whether the idea of a sequel was doomed from the outset.
Read MoreThis week, Gavia and Morgan change it up by diving into the latest novel by master spy novelist John le Carré, A Legacy of Spies, which marks his final return to the world of George Smiley and the Circus. Topics discussed include the novel's relationship to its predecessors, le Carré's difficulties writing women, Morgan's le Carré fandom, and Brexit.
Read MoreThis week, Morgan and Gavia discuss the new Star Trek show airing on CBS All Access, Star Trek: Discovery. Topics include Gav's longtime Star Trek fandom, how the show diverges from other iterations of the franchise, new star Sonequa Martin, and what's up with those Klingons anyway.
Read MoreThis week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Darren Aronofsky's Biblical parable horror flick, Mother! Topics discussed include whether or not the film's muddled allegory actually means anything, its poor box office performance, and Jennifer Lawrence's very bad wig.
Reminder: on October 3rd, we will be discussing John le Carré's new novel, A Legacy of Spies. Read now to join us!
Read MoreThis week, Gavia and Morgan discuss Tim Burton's Batman films, Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992), starring Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and others. Topics discussed include how these Gothic movies stand apart from later cinematic Batmans, Burton's early-20th century cinema influences, the unique appeal of Keaton's Bruce Wayne, and the greatness of Pfeiffer's Catwoman.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreMorgan 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.
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