With September on the way out, it's time to start thinking spooky. So, we thought it was the ideal time to celebrate 30 years of Misery! That's right, the Stephen King book-turned Rob Reiner movie has hit a milestone anniversary, so we decided to put it on the analysis table—but we didn't hobble it. This story of a romance author held captive by his number one fan resonates as much in 2020 as it did in 1990. We're talking Stephen King, Annie Wilkes, fan culture, and much more as we prepare the foundation for a very special Shocktober 9. 

Time Stamps

00:30 - Introductions and Synopsis

03:44 - Quick Misery Reviews

18:03 - Expanding the Syllabus

31:58 - Analysis

59:05 - Shelf or Trash

1:00:18 - Wrap Up & Next Week's Movie

On Episode 385 of the GenreCast, we're celebrating 8 years of this monstrosity. And, it's only fitting that we come full circle to another siege film as we take a look back at 2013's Olympus Has Fallen. We try our best not to call it White House Down, but mistakes do happen. The movie features a tarnished secret serviceman looking for redemption after the White House is overrun by terrorists. We're talking nationalism, ideology, geopolitics, the failures of the film, and much more as we bring Olympus Has Fallen to the analysis table. 

Time Stamps

00:30 - Introductions and Synopsis

04:19 - Quick Olympus Has Fallen Reviews

21:42 - Expanding the Syllabus

40:37 - Analysis

58:50 - Shelf or Trash

1:00:18 - Wrap Up & Next Week's Movie

Grab your wig and fake mustache, it's time to talk the 1997 action film The Saint. On episode 384, we're talking all about globetrotting thief Simon Templar who manipulates and seduces a doctor in order to steal some formulas for cold fusion or something. This week, we're discussing geopolitics and Russian villains. We get into cycle of TV/IP reboots of the 90s and aughts. We also take a look at the odd relationship dynamics in this film before bringing the train into the station on The Saint. 

Time Stamps

00:30 - Introductions and Synopsis

06:36 - Quick The Saint Reviews

16:46 - Expanding the Syllabus

30:54 - Analysis

51:42 - Shelf or Trash

52:05 - Wrap Up & Next Week's Movie

Once upon a time, on a podcast not so far away, we decided to discuss Catherine Hardwicke's Red Riding Hood. And, to help us out, is no other than our very own Frightful Femme, and one of the co-hosts of TwiLit, Kirsten Therkelson. In this sexy, stylized retelling of the classic fairytale, Valerie has fallen for a woodcutter named Peter. But, the village they live in is tormented by a werewolf—a werewolf that is keenly interested in Valerie. This week, we're discussing the themes of societal isolation and fear present in the film. The topic of studio plug-in-play plots comes up as we do a throwback to our old game segment. We also do a little psychoanalysis of the film, and the relationships therein. So, tune in now to hear us talk all about Red Riding Hood.

Time Stamps

00:30 - Introductions and Synopsis

03:44 - Quick Red Riding Hood Reviews

16:15 - Expanding the Syllabus

29:42 - Analysis

55:49 - Shelf or Trash

58:36 - Wrap Up & Next Week's Movie

Every time a podcast plays, an angel gets its wings. We don't know if that's true or not, but by golly we're going to hope so. This week, things get heavenly as we explore the 1996 Nora Ephron hit, Michael starring John Travolta. When a tabloid journalist and his associates get wind of a living, breathing angel in Iowa, they set out to investigate. But what they discover is more surreal than they could have imagined. We're talking all about narrative constructs and tropes, the use of angels, secular theology, and much more as Michael arrives on the analysis table. So, join us as we discuss the 1996 holiday hit!

Time Stamps

00:30 - Introductions and Synopsis

05:17 - Quick Michael Reviews

18:13 - Expanding the Syllabus

36:24 - Analysis

58:11 - Shelf or Trash

1:01:06 - Wrap Up & Next Week's Movie

We rebound from last week's debacle with a slow-brewing cult selection in the form of Vincenzo Natali's Splice. A movie much hotter and much weirder than Swimfan. When two geneticists push the bounds of science, a new human-animal hybrid is birthed. This week, we're talking about realism in science fiction, cycles of familial tragedy, Freud, and much more. Tune in now for our discussion of Splice!

Time Stamps

00:30 - Introductions and Synopsis

03:25 - Quick Splice Reviews

14:40 - Expanding the Syllabus

28:25 - Analysis

54:00 - Shelf or Trash

56:00 - Wrap Up & Next Week's Movie

Your favorite grown ass women are back to talk your favorite teen tales as they dive into Twilight: Eclipse. On episode 5 of TwiLit, Erin and Kirsten are giddy to talk Eclipse — and hope to not offend any vampires. Following a slight diatribe about the titling of the books, Kirsten and Erin dissect the third entry in this franchise. Come along for a journey with this in-depth look at Twilight: Eclipse. And, you'll get to find out who Bryce Dallas Howard's Wario is!

So, it's come to this. A Swimfan episode. That's right, on Ep. 380, we're discussing the early aughts curiosity Swimfan. Jesse Bradford makes a second appearance this year as he leads this PG-13 attempt at an erotic thriller. Star swimmer Ben finds himself in a precarious position after a lust-filled swim. This week, we attempt to parse out what's going on in this movie, but it's mostly a lot of Dalton venting and talking through his anger at the film. We hit on misogyny, the film's lack of psychology, form, and more as we discuss Swimfan. 

Time Stamps

00:30 - Introductions and Synopsis

03:32 - Quick Swimfan Reviews

16:43 - Expanding the Syllabus

34:28 - Analysis

1:03:05 - Shelf or Trash

1:04:12 - Wrap Up & Next Week's Movie

On Ep. 379, we deliver an epilogue to our How Have We Never Covered... marathon with a redemption pick as voted by you, dear listener. The Prestige beat out 3 other finalists to gain a seat at the analysis table. Christopher Nolan's The Prestige was his last work before skyrocketing to new heights with 2008's The Dark Knight. A tale of dueling magician's willing to destroy themselves to one up the other, The Prestige is an er example of Nolan's work. We discuss the meta nature of Edison's presence in the film, Nolan's fascination with fridging, the absence of God, and Dustin performs a magic trick on air! You'll have to hear it to believe it!

Time Stamps

00:30 - Introductions and Synopsis

03:13 - Quick Reviews

15:50 - Expanding the Syllabus

31:48 - Analysis

50:50 - Shelf or Trash

51:52 - Wrap Up & Next Week's Movie

Welcome to the final week of How Have We Never Covered... And it's only fitting that the final spot in this tournament go to a sports movie. And a cult teen comedy to boot. That's right, we're discussing Bring It On. Peyton Reed's turn of the millennia cheerleader comedy with a hot young cast. A cheer squad is preparing for their next national championship run when they discover their cheers have all been stolen from a local underprivileged school. With little time left in the season, they try to reinvent themselves and take the honorable road to success. This week, we're discussing the film's approach to race, cultural appropriation and plagiarism, the film's depiction of cheerleaders and the exploitive nature of high school extracurriculars, and much more.