There's a little witch in everyone! That's what we learn this week as we discuss the 1998 Rom-Com Practical Magic, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Based on a book with the same title, this movie tells the story of a magical family and their charming lives in New England, as well as how love can affect us all, for better or worse. A different kind of cult classic, and a childhood movie of Margaret's, but will it pass the test....is it a must watch?
CONTENT WARNING: violence
What happens when our societies ignore people in need and promote individualism to get ahead? That's the question that is proposed in the topic of this week's episode. Parasite (2019) is the only international film to win Best Pictures at the Oscars in 2020. Written and Directed by visionary Bong Joon Ho, this South Korean film focuses on the struggles and schemes of a family in extreme poverty as they slowly begin to attach themselves to a wealthy family. This film has a lot to say about our current economic and social structures, so we sat down and answered the question...is it a must watch?
CONTENT WARNING: violence, destitution, pedophilia
Since it's now September, why not some spook? Today we discuss the 2019 instant horror classic, Midsommer, starring Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper, Will Poulter, and a LOT of Swedish actors. Midsommer is a product of the A24 studio, a newer up and coming production company that also funded movies like Hereditary, Ex Machina, and The Witch. This movie doesn't really present horror in the traditional sense, as we discuss, and is one of the paramount films of the next generation, so we decided to watch and discuss to see if it's truly a must watch.
CONTENT WARNING: gore, suicidal themes, mental health, pagan practices
Buckle in folks, it's not every week we get to talk about a movie that has been so formative and important to the 10 years we've spent together. This week we try to sell you on the 2001 indie comedy Wet Hot American Summer, and no, it's not a porn. This underground gem has many of the comedy and drama stars in the early point of their careers, such as Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Meloni, David Hyde Pierce, Bradley Cooper, and many more. This isn't a movie that won any awards or was even distributed by any big studios, however it's popularity did spurn 2 spinoff Netflix series. This is seriously in our top 10 all time films, and so we hope that we can convince you to watch it!
CONTENT WARNING: language, sexual situations, age gap relationships, drug use
This week we watched, for the very first time, Mad Max: Fury Road for our weekly discussion. One of the biggest blockbusters of 2015 and the fourth movie in the series, Fury Road stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron in a gritty, gruesome post-apocoplyptic world dominated by monikers like Guzzleine, Gastown, Vuvalini, and THE DOOF WARRIOR. We have heard a lot about this movie from respectable sources, and so we paid Amazon $4 and sat down to answer the question...is it a must watch?
CONTENT WARNING: language, violence, sexual situations
Hey McFly! Our third installment of our season opening Summer Blockbuster series covers the 1985 smash hit, Back to the Future! Starring Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd, Back to the Future is a classic 80's flick full of adventure and goofs that warmed it's way into the heart of American Culture. You almost can't even look at a Delorean without wondering if it's actually the classic time machine. But...is it a must watch?
CONTENT WARNING: sexual/incestuous themes, whitewashing
Hold on to your butts, this week we're coming at you with a discussion on the classic blockbuster, Jurassic Park (1993). Starring Sam Neil, Lara Dern, Samuel L Jackson, Richard Attenborough, and the incomparable Jeff Goldblum, this film has become a cultural tentpole and a blueprint for modern action filmmaking. We discuss the cast, visual effects, score, and much more that makes this film so enjoyable.
CONTENT WARNING: mild language
Shiver me timbers! Season 2 finally kicks off with a trip down memory lane for us and our guest, Haley Snowden! We're talking the swashbuckling summer adventure that swept the summers of the early 00's, Pirates of the Caribbean. Sit with us as we discuss our favorite moments, technical apsects, and more about these fun, adventure filled movies!
CONTENT WARNING: cultural appropriation, cannibalism, domestic abuse, undead characters
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CONTENT WARNING: This episode focuses heavily on suicide. If this is a trigger for you, please skip this weeks episode and know that you are loved and you are not alone. If you are having thoughts of suicide or self harm, please contact the National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8255.
This week, we take a look at one of the all time Christmas classics It's A Wonderful Life (1946), directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart. While not a huge blockbuster when it first came out, this tale of generosity and community has been a household tradition for families far and wide during the holiday season. It's so much more than just a Christmas film, however, and we go in depth to discuss not only the content of the film, but it's impact on society as well. Enjoy this holiday treat with us!
The veritable Christmas rom com that likely inspired a generation of Hallmark movies to follow, Love, Actually (2003) is the subject of this week's Watch List. This movie has an impressive cast of British actors like Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Bill Nighy, and many, many more. This "ensemble" cast and their character's stories are the heart of this production. Join us as we discuss these stories as well as the other aspects of this non-traditional holiday flick.
CONTENT WARNING: sex, language, body shaming
Well, we did it folks. December 2020, and a holiday season that feels so much more deserved than any other. We here at SWL are kicking off a month full of holiday themed movies with the classic 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street, the "tale as old as time" where Santa pays New York a visit and changes hearts and minds across the Big Apple. Neither of us had seen this film prior to this episode, and we take divergent opinions on the messages and presentation of the film. Sit back with some eggnog and enjoy our analysis!
Content Warning: language
Greetings from depression era Mississippi! Today we take a look at the 2000 Cohen Brothers film and instant classic, O Brother, Where Art Thou! A favorite of ours, this film features the talents of George Clooney, Tim Blake Nelson, and John Torturro as well as other big names who make a small cameo. We are also joined today by an old high school friend of ours and college minister, Jacob Casto, who gives his own interesting take on the film. Sit with us as we discuss the soundtrack, cinematography, and legacy of this classic comedy.
Show note: We had to cut a bit out of this episode because, as old friends tend to do, we went a little long this week. The entire discussion will be available on Patreon as soon as Ethan gets it set up and re-edits this episode to include those juicy bits you missed. More informatio will be coming soon!
Content warning: race, police, KKK rallies
In a time of such political turmoil, it's slightly comforting to know that we've been in a situation with a corrupt administration before...it's even more comforting to know that they were caught. All the President's Men (1976) is a true-to-life depiction of the events that led to Richard Nixon's resignation and the journalists that worked on the groundbreaking story of Watergate. Starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman as the journalistic pair Woodward and Bernstein, this subtle film is an important and individualistic movie in an era of experimental film. Join us as we discuss what makes this movie special, even if rather briefly.
CW: politics, a character named "Deep Throat"
Get ready to laugh, listeners, because our final week of our first ever Spooktober covers the hilarious dark comedy Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), directed by Frank Capra! The film stars Cary Grant as the leading man, Mortimer Brewster, as he deals with marriage, his family, and maybe even a little death! While Capra was mostly known for his more dramatic films, his directorial genius still shines in this film as well, and it may have been a much deserved break from the norm for him. This film also has an adapted screenplay from its historic long run on Broadway, and with that also comes some serious Broadway drama. Sit with us as we ask the question....is this movie a must watch?
Content warning: marriage, murder, law enforcement, light ableism, xenophobia
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You've definitely heart those ominous, stressful chords. Someone peels back the curtain, the woman turns and screams, then gets stabbed to death to a high pitched violin section creating awful dissonance. And it all started with the 1960 release of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. The classic horror/slasher film stars Janet Leigh as Marion Crane, a damsel on the run who finds herself checking into the ominous Bates Motel, run by Norman Bates, who is played by Anthony Perkins. This film not only reestablished Hitchcock's reign on genre film during the late Golden Era, but also had some effect on the industry, both on the lot and in the theatre. This film didn't receive any academy awards, however it is considered to be an essential watch for horror enthusiasts. Enjoy our entirely SPOILER FREE conversation about Psycho!
Content warning: violence, law enforcement
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Ever watch people out of your window and make up elaborate stories about them? Then you might have something in common with Jeff, the protagonist from this week's edition of Spooktober. Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window (1954) is arguably one of his most recognizable films, and it was certainly no small feat. The set alone required massive construction on one of the studio's soundstages. The film stars James Stewart as J.B. "Jeff" Jefferies opposite the incomparable Grace Kelly as Lisa. Enjoy a conversation about a less spooky, more thriller movie that is an ordeal to watch.
Content warning: homicide, domestic violence, voyeurism
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We're kicking off a month of spooooooky films with our second double feature special dedicated to two titans of 1920's German silent film, F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu (1922) and Fritz Lang's Metropolis (1927). Nosferatu is widely considered to be one of the first most popular film adaptations of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula, even if Murnau and company didn't technically have the rights. The film stars Max Schreck as the horrifying Nosferatu, as well as Alexander Granach as Jonathan and Greta Schroder as Nenia. Nosferatu has been hailed by many as one of the greatest pieces of film throughout history, and even the Vatican has it listed as one of their 45 greatest films of all time. Not to be outdone, Lang's Metropolis was an early attempt at what we would now recognize as Science Fiction. It is considered to be one of the most ambitious films of all time and even was a favorite of a certain German despot. The film stars Briggite Helm as Maria/Maschinemensch, Alfred Abel as Joh Fredersen, and Gustav Frolich as Freder. Settle in with us as we talk in depth about the making of these films, the challenges of early filmaking, and their modern day relevancy!
Content Warning: horror, religious themes, class struggle, human rights violations
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This week on a special supersized episode, Margaret and Ethan discuss two classic Tarantino films from his early years, Pulp Fiction (1994) and Reservoir Dogs (1992). While both of these films are directed by Quentin Tarantino, one seems to have a larger share of the cultural zeitgeist than the other, but does it deserve the title of Tarantino's best or even most well known movie? Join us as we compare and contrast these two films and more about our favorite director!
Content Warning: sexual themes, drugs, language, violence
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