Today we’re reviewing the 2020s cooperative first person shooter and mining simulator, “Deep Rock Galactic.” Created by Danish games company, Ghost Ship Studios, “Deep Rock Galactic” has you playing a dwarf miner on alien planet Hoxxes IV — an environment rich in minerals and hostile wildlife. With four playable classes and nine game modes, you can…

Today we’re reviewing the new Sean Baker film, “Anora” (2024). Winner of the golden palm award (Palme d’Or) at this years Cannes Film Festival, this romantic comedy/drama follows exotic dancer, “Ani”/“Anora” (Mikey Madison) in a Cinderella-esque whirlwind romance with Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), a Russian oligarch’s son. After news of their marriage r…

Today we’re talking about the Sundance-selected indie romcom/horror film, “Your Monster” (2024). Written and directed by Caroline Lindy and based on her semi-autobiographical short film, this movie follows soft-spoken theater actress Laura Franco (Melissa Barrera) as she recuperates from cancer treatments and comes face-to-face with a terrifying-ye…

Today we’re discussing the #1 Netflix streaming film, “Woman of the Hour” (2024). Starring Anna Kendrick in her directorial debut, this movie fictionalizes a very real, very weird moment in 1970s cultural history, the day a prolific serial killer won the “Dating Game” — a popular matchmaking show from the time. What we’re presented with is a fascin…

Today we’re analyzing the most recent entry in the “Smile” horror franchise, “Smile 2” (2024). Helmed once again by writer-director Parker Finn, this “Smile” film dials up the cinematic ambition by following fictional pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) as she mounts a worldwide redemption tour one year after a grievous car accident took the life of …

Today we are discussing the newly-released political satire, “Rumours” (2024). Co-directed by beloved Canadian auteur Guy Maddin and starring Cate Blanchett as the Chancellor of Germany, this surreal art house comedy follows the leaders of the world’s top liberal democracies at their annual G-7 Summit. Tasked with collaborating on the eve of an apo…

Today we’re reviewing the wildly popular HBO MAX miniseries, “The Penguin” (2024). A spinoff of the 2022 “The Batman” film and brought to life by veteran producer Lauren LeFranc, this series sees Colin Farrell reprising his role as Oz Cobb (“the penguin”) in a post-disaster Gotham. The seawall has been bombed to bits, there’s a power vacuum in the …

Today we’re reviewing the new HBO MAX comedy series, “The Franchise” (2024). Creatively helmed by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, “The Franchise” follows the behind-the-scenes drama of a troubled Marvel movie-esque production called, “Tecto.” With long-suffering First AD Daniel (Himesh Patel) trying to contain the production chaos of an inexperi…

Today we’re reviewing the newly-released Saturday Night Live docudrama, “Saturday Night” (2024). Depicting the 90-minute lead-up to SNL’s inaugural show on October 11, 1975, this Jason Reitman-directed project (“Juno,” “Up in the Air,” “Tully”) used first-person interviews, contemporaneous news articles, and extensive scholarship to construct a gri…

Today we are celebrating 👻 Halloween 🎃 with 15 recommendations for movies you can watch on this final day of spooky season. We’ve got something for everyone— classics and recent releases, movies to watch with your kids, your girlfriends, your significant others, or your scary movie aficionado friends. From sweet to sexy to big-spooky, this list of …

Today we’re discussing the latest release from the B-movie Terrifier franchise, “Terrifier 3” (2024). Having achieved cult status among splatter-fest fans, this slasher movie featuring Art the Clown was written and directed by Damien Leone with a budget of under $2 million. Impressive practical VFX and an admirable performance by David Howard Thorn…

Today we are reviewing the Sundance-selected, Netflix-distributed indie horror film, “It’s What’s Inside” (2024). Written and directed by neophyte auteur Greg Jardin and starring eight relative unknowns as our primary cast (Brittany O’Grady, James Morosini, Gavin Leatherwood, Nina Bloomgarden, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Reina Hardesty, Devon Terrell, and…

Today we are talking about modern masterpiece and comedy mockumentary series, “What We Do In The Shadows” (2019-present). Based on the 2014 Taika Waititi film of the same name and created for television by Jermaine Clement, “What We Do On The Shadows” (FX/Hulu) follows the day-to-day happenings of three traditional vampires (Matt Berry, Natasia Dem…

Today we’re evaluating expert networking tips from Google’s AI assistant, Gemini. Crowdsourced from a slew of internet articles, we’re using our in-house networking expert to assess the value and specificity of Gemini’s generative AI output. If you’re a jobseeker in this new AI-heavy recruiting market, we believe you’ll find help (and humor!) from …

Today we’re reviewing the recently-released Dreamworks children’s animated film, “The Wild Robot” (2024). Adapted from a book of the same name by Peter Brown, this film is written and directed by Chris Sanders, the screenwriter who brought you “Mulan”, “Lilo & Stitch”, and “How to Train Your Dragon.” This film follows an intelligent helper robot, R…

Today we’re discussing the new Netflix #1 streaming series, “Nobody Wants This” (2024). Created by Erin Foster and starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody as an agnostic relationship podcaster and an unconventionally cool Reform Rabbi who fall in love. Flanked by neurotic family dynamics and competing career concerns, the protagonist couple manages to…

Today we’re discussing the top Netflix streaming series, “The Three-Body Problem” (2024). This is the first English-language adaptation of the Chinese book series, “Remembrances of Earth’s Past” and was created by former “Game of Thrones” showrunners, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (as well as Alexander Woo). Taking us from the violent Cultural Revol…

Today we’re discussing the critically acclaimed roguelike video game, “Cult of the Lamb.” Developed by Massive Monster and rated 10/10 on Steam, this hugely popular crusade and city-builder just released a couch co-op expansion called, “ Unholy Alliance” (2024). With cutesy visuals of woodland animals and an addictive gameplay loop that necessitate…

Today we're sharing our reflections on the newly-released horror remake, "Speak No Evil" (2024). Based on a 2022 Danish film of the same name and written and directed by James Watkins, this thriller stars James McAvoy and Mackenzie Davis as members of two small families that meet on holiday and form a vacation friendship. When one family invites th…

Today we're discussing the Cannes award-winning horror film, "The Substance" (2024). Written and directed by French auteur Coralie Fargeat and starring Demi Moore as a fading Hollywood celebrity keen to recapture her sparkle, this horror parable centers around a black market procedure that can produce a younger, better, more perfect you in 7-day cy…

Today we're reviewing the recently-released Norwegian limited series, "Billionaire Island." From the showrunners who brought you literally the first Netflix original series ("Lilyhammer" by Anna Bjornstad and Elif Skodvin), this 6-episode series chronicles the cutthroat corporate intrigue of a hostile takeover of one salmon billionaire's family bus…

Today we're sharing methods of coping with anxiety, whether it is a chronic issue or an acute event. Everyone has experience with anxiety, and overcoming it is essential to your quality of life. With the help of redditors, counsellors, and insights from our own mental health journeys, we're talking mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, lifestyle in…

Today we're talking about the Netflix top-streaming miniseries, "The Perfect Couple" (2024). Adapted from a book of the same name by Elin Hilderbrand and brought to the screen by Jenna Lamia and Susanne Bier, this limited series stars Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, and Dakota Fanning. Taking place on idyllic Nantucket Island, this gripp…

Today we're discussing Ryan Holiday's 2019 book, "Stillness is the Key." A companion book to "The Obstacle is the Way" (2014) and "Ego is the Enemy" (2016, covered on episode 153), this self-development book valorizes the benefits of rest, contemplation, and maintaining your sanity in a consumingly-demanding world. Do you feel that you're never doi…

Today we're discussing the newest addition to the Alien franchise, "Alien: Romulus" (Scott Free Productions, 2024). Written and directed by Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Alvarez, who directed the iconic 2016 horror film, "Don't Breathe," "Alien: Romulus" follows the journey of five indentured teen workers (Cailee Spaeny, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, S…

Today we're discussing the blockbuster film of the fall, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" (2024). Directed by Tim Burton and staffed by returning film icons Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara, this new Beetlejuice film follows the myriad dramas of both its living and death characters -- containing weddings, funerals, and reconciliations be…

Today we're discussing the new Top 10 Netflix streaming show, "Kaos" (2024). Created by Charlie Covell and starring Jeff Goldblum as Zeus, this limited series is a contemporary retelling of Ancient Greek mythology that is darkly comic and epic in scale. Winding between the jealous gods of Olympus, the apartheid state of Minoan Crete/Krete, and the …

Today we're doing a spoiler-free review of the mind-bending indie horror film, "Strange Darling" (2024). Winner of the Jury Prize for Best Feature Film (2024 Popcorn Frights Film Festival), written and directed by J.T. Mollner and starring Willa Fitzgerald ("Fall of the House of Usher") and Kyle Gallner ("Smile"), this indie darling premiered last …

Today we're talking about the 2020 megahit video game, "Hades" (produced by Supergiant Games). A roguelike hack-and-slash game taking place in the Ancient Greek underworld, you play as Hades' son Zagreus ("Zac"), the prince of the underworld, in a seemingly-impossible quest to fight through the afterlife, back to earth, to be reunited with his birt…

Today we're reviewing and analyzing Zoe Kravitz's directorial debut, "Blink Twice" (2024). A psychological thriller taking place largely on a tech billionaire's (played by Channing Tatum) private island paradise, "Blink Twice" is informed by centuries of Greek mythology, themes of trauma and memory, and a delicious twist ending that will leave your…

Today we're tackling season 2 of the 2010's cult classic, "Fleabag" (created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge). Widely considered the best season of "Fleabag," and still starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge and company, series two follows our protagonist getting her life together after the grief-fueled antics of series one. To the backdrop of her sister's (Sian Cl…

Today we're discussing Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington's goal-setting system, "The 12 Week Year." Aimed at encouraging consistent execution on your annual goals, this system reduces a 12-month year to just 3 months -- dialing up the time pressure, necessity of commitment, and utility of accountability buddies. Simple, non-cult-y, and iterativ…

Today we're discussing series one of the 2010s British television masterpiece, "Fleabag." Created by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, this 6-episode series is adapted from Phoebe's successful 2013 theater piece and follows the grief-fueled misadventures of a messy 20-something who has recently lost her closest friend, is navigating complex family…

Today we're analyzing the newest Mad Max film, "Furiosa," now streaming on HBO MAX. Starring Anya Taylor Joy and Chris Hemsworth, and written and directed by George Miller, "Furiosa" is the most detail-rich Mad Max we've yet seen. Crossing an epic 20 years of history and giving insight into the inner workings of Immortan Joe's vast Wasteland empire…

Today we're reviewing the 2024 horror film, "Immaculate," now streaming on Hulu. Starring Sydney Sweeney and taking place in a remote Italian convent, this religion-themed thriller centers on an improbable, seemingly immaculate conception by novice nun Cecilia. But, of course, there are more sinister forces afoot than any divine plan. With delightf…

Today we're discussing television shows that we (and the redditors of r/AskReddit) consider to be 10-out-of-10 amazing. Mind-bendy, rewatchable, and much beloved, these shows defined our childhoods, broadened our adult perspectives, or just plain burrowed themselves into our hearts. Are your favorite shows classic anthologies that defined a genre l…

Today we're talking about some of the ghostly residents of the Pacific Northwest (informed by Margaret Read MacDonald's book, "Ghost Stories from the Pacific Northwest"). Widely considered to be horror-movie-spooky and a nest of cryptids, the PNW is also known for housing a number of jolly ghosts. We're sharing the stories of three such post-human …

Today we’re reviewing the newly-released indie horror film, “Cuckoo” (2024). Written and directed by Tilman Singer and starring Hunter Schafer, “Cuckoo” is the most unique horror concept we’ve seen in a while. Set in an isolated resort in the Swiss Alps, with a mysterious billionaire proprietor (played by Dan Stevens), a cutting edge medically faci…

Today we’re discussing the recently-released video game film, “Borderlands” (2024). Written and directed by Eli Roth, starring Cate Blanchett, and featuring gamers’ most beloved Pandora environments, this film captures so much of the fun associated with the looter-shooter video game series. As avid fans of the Borderlands franchise, Stephen and Lau…

Today we’re reviewing M. Night Shyamalan’s newest film, “Trap” (2024). Starring Josh Hartnett, Haley Mills, and Shyamalan’s own daughter Saleka, this unique thriller is a kind of anti-heist that centers on one serial killer’s attempt to evade capture at a stadium concert venue (while also showing his daughter the time of her life with her favorite …

Today we are concluding our discussion of the Netflix top 10 docuseries, “Dirty Pop: the Boy Band Scam” (Dir. David Terry Fine). In this part two, we’re discussing the financial crimes side of pop mega-manager Lou Pearlman. From lopsided management contracts with Backstreet Boys and N* SYNC to aeronautics insurance fraud to making an enemy of a hig…

Today we are discussing the Netflix top 10 docuseries, “Dirty Pop: the Boy Band Scam” (Dir. David Terry Fine). This series follows Lou Pearlman, the “Big Poppa” of pop music managers and creator of mega groups like Backstreet Boys, N*SYNC, and O-Town. Within the glitz and glamour of the Boy Band era, though, is the financially predatory action of t…

Today we’re diving in to life advice cliches that are actually really valuable when you fully ingest their meaning. We’ve all had the, “Ugh that so true!” moment. Alongside contributions from the lovely redditors who populate the r/AskReddit subreddit, we share our own favorite platitudes that only seem to get truer with age. What have you been tol…

Today we’re discussing one of the most important questions for Millennials and Gen Z — to have children or be childfree. From our Baby Boomer parents who long to be grandparents to vice presidential candidates obsessed with your personal procreation, child-having is a hot topic. We share our own experience fielding questions about family planning i…

Today we’re on a self-development journey. Between reading Ryan Holiday’s “Ego is the Enemy” (2016) and recognizing undesirable characteristics of our parents in ourselves, it’s time to do some inner excavation and put those insights into action! Is your sense of self fragile or even outdated? Have failures felt crippling even though you know, inte…

Today we’re sharing our impressions of the critically-acclaimed 2010s HBO comedy, “VEEP” (2012-2019). Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and increasingly relevant as our own US election year starts to take on that show’s plot dimensions, this workplace sitcom of Capital Hill satirizes the uniquely strange and idiosyncratic personalities that are drawn to…

Today we're revisiting the first "Hunger Games" film (2012, dir. Gary Ross), in honor of the recent loss of the first President Snow, actor Donald Sutherland. With new context provided by "A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," we discuss the perfect cruelty and systemic dehumanization of Suzanne Collin's fictional Panem. Using class as a tool of explo…

Today we're sharing our thoughts on the alien invasion / monster horror film, "A Quiet Place: Day One." Following a late-stage cancer patient (played by Lupita Nyong'o) on what she believes to be her last visit to New York City, all heck breaks loose when an apocalyptic alien invasion lands in Manhattan. Also starring Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, and …

Today we're returning to the realm of dreams (with our trusty Encyclopedia of Symbols, Signs, and Interpretations). This episode, Laura will be sharing her reoccurring dream motifs and characters. On this episode you'll learn the potential meanings behind your dream location and environments. Did you know that houses often represent the self? -- An…

Today we're exploring dreams -- symbols, signs, and interpretations (with an illustrated encyclopedia as our guide). Stephen shares childhood dreams and reoccurring adult nightmares, and we investigate their actual, subconscious meaning. Do dragons symbolize good fortune or ill omens? What is the nature of magic, and specifically of a wizard perfor…