Cover to Credits

This episode we look at a popular book from the early 2000's, The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri, and the film adaptation directed by Mira Nair. This story examines what it means to be caught between two homes and two cultures, and how the experiences of second generation immigrants can differ from their parents. But don't worry, we also keep it light and discuss awkward sexual tensions, crazy ex girl...

In this episode we enter the world of The Circle, a semi-dystopian tale of social media, technology and privacy, written by Dave Eggers with the film directed by James Ponsoldt. We discuss the overwhelming sense of anxiety brought on by office culture, the changing landscape of satire, and putting microchips in the bones of children!

This episode, we celebrate our new dog, Arwen, by discussing a pig (that behaves like a dog) in the classic film Babe, directed by Chris Noonan, and based on the book by Dick King-Smith. We discuss how this film innovated new special effects techniques, the darker aspects of the story, and exactly why Christmas means carnage!

We return to the world of The Hunger Games this episode for the prequel novel and film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, written by Suzanne Collins and directed by Francis Lawrence. This story answers so many questions we had about the world of Panem, like "Who invented the Hunger Games?" "Do birds have remotes?" and "What if President Snow but with abs?"

This episode we discuss the hilarious, tragic, and occasionally grim adventures (if you know you know) of a small Alabama town in Fried Green Tomatoes, directed by Jon Avnet and based on the novel by Fannie Flagg. This episode has us talking about queer and black representation, suggestive food fights and the several(?) twists and the end of the film.

We close out this October with a horror classic, The Thing, directed by John Carpenter in 1982, and based on the novella, Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell. We're talking big hats, dog Oscars, confusing blood tests, monsters that are committed performers, and of course, our thoughts on that ending!

We're kicking off October with a horror classic of the early 2000's, The Ring, directed by Gore Verbinski and based on the novel by Koji Suzuki. This film adaptation (although not the first) brings chills and scares aplenty, while the novel managed to horrify us in ways we weren't expecting. This episode we delve into antiquated technology, questionable friendships and Smallpox?

This episode we look at the classic novel by Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre, and its 2011 film adaptation by Cary Joji Fukunaga. This story of gothic romance is one of Adina's favorites and gave us so much to discuss, including the "hideously ugly" leads, the ridiculous pranks of Mr. Rochester and the interesting dom/sub undertones of the Jane's relationships! 

The story of Charlie and Nick continues this episode as we discuss Season 2 of the Netflix series Heartstopper, based on the graphic novel by Alice Oseman! This season was broken up by a beautiful trip to Paris and featured plenty of romantic tension, acts of kindness, and extreme emotional growth, especially by a certain wacky-haired individual! Let the Pride Tide wash us all away!

This episode we discuss the acclaimed novel The Giver, written by Lois Lowry, and the 2014 film adaptation directed by Phillip Noyce. This unique book asks what makes life worth living and what are we willing to sacrifice for comfort and stability, and the film asks "what if Meryl Streep were a hologram?" You can imagine we have a lot to discuss this episode, from grown men sledding, to bathing th...

This episode we discuss Nimona, the web-comic turned graphic novel by N.D. Stevenson, and the 2023 film adaptation directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane. We discuss the queer themes of both versions, compare the art and animation styles, and ask ourselves why sharks on legs are so damn funny. 

This episode, we're discussing the classic film The Princess Bride (Inconceivable!), directed by Rob Reiner in 1987 and the novel that inspired it, written by William Goldman. We discuss the humor and hijinks of each version, including the deep and fictional mythology of the novel, as well as the amazing cast, our favorite lines, and we even try to count the number of times characters are knocked...

In this episode we're talking about the acclaimed Coen Brothers film No Country for Old Men (2007) and the Cormac McCarthy novel that it was based on. We discuss cold blooded killings, surprise Stephen Root appearances, and why those two cartel members were in the bathroom together.

This episode, life gets stuck on 'repeat' as we discuss the film Edge of Tomorrow, directed by Doug Liman, and the Japanese light novel that inspired it, All You Need is Kill, written by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. This is one of our favorite sci-fi action films, so we were excited to read the source material, and boy do we have plenty to discuss! Dramatic narrators, convoluted time travel, and "the three...

This episode, we discuss the American adaptation (A Man Called Otto, directed by Marc Forster) of the beloved Swedish novel (A Man Called Ove, written by Fredrik Backman). We look at the dark comedy of the novel, the film's earnest tone, and the absolute waste of national treasure Mike Birbiglia. 

This episode we examine the classic Audrey Hepburn film, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the novella it was based on by Truman Capote. We have fun, surface level topics to discuss (fashion, parties, $50 for the powder room) as well as meatier issues to mull over (racism, child brides, homophobia) so grab your pearl chokers and 3 foot long cigarette holders and settle in! 

This episode we discuss a domestic thriller that blurs the lines of suspense and comedy with A Simple Favor, written by Darcey Bell and its film adaptation directed by Paul Feig. Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively show off their amazing chemistry and comedic chops in this film, but is the book as subversive or witty? This episode we delve into questionable sibling relationships, amazing fashion, and a...

Let your imaginations run wild this episode as we discuss The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, directed by Ben Stiller and adapted from the James Thurber short story. Despite being only 4-5 pages long, the Thurber story has remained relevent for decades, but of course there was a lot of expanding to be done for the feature film. We look at the way each version approaches Walter's day dreams, the film'...

This episode, love is in the air as we discuss Heartstopper, the Netflix series directed by Euros Lyn and based on the comic series by Alice Oseman. This LGBTQ+ love story is incredibly sweet and touching, but still manages to address a lot of interesting topics, like the struggles of knowing when to come out, the importance of friendship, and the mysterious rules of Rugby.

This episode, we explore the rise and fall of the fictitious band Daisy Jones & the Six, written by Taylor Jenkins Reid and adapted as an Amazon Series in 2023. This story, inspired by real bands such as Fleetwood Mac, explores the romance, drug abuse and conflict going on as the band releases its hit album Aurora. We discuss the unique interview style of the book, the boundaries of commitment and...

This episode we follow the money and learn about All the President's Men, written by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, and directed by Alan J. Pakula in 1976. We discuss the facts of this conspiracy, the players involved, and the larger picture of Watergate. Get ready as we analyze subtle head nods, famous pornos, and the battle of facts vs. vibes!

Let the wild rumpus start! Although it took nearly fifty years, Maurice Sendak's beloved children's book, Where the Wild Things Are (1963), finally made it's big screen debut in 2009, written and directed by Spike Jonze. We discuss how innovative the book was for its time, how the film expands on the story, and the fantastic production involved in bringing the story to life. 

This episode we discuss the literary classic, All Quiet on the Western Front, written by Erich Maria Remarque, and the 2022 film adaptation directed by Edward Berger. This somber look at war gives us plenty of heavy topics mull over, but don't worry, there's also plenty of talk about bodily functions and goose stealing too.

Things get very steamy this episode as we discuss the novel Lady Chatterley's Lover, written by D. H. Lawrence, and the recent Netflix adaptation directed by Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre. This story explores topics such as sex, gender, capitalism and systems of power, all while dishing out explicit sex scenes which got the book infamously banned and censored when it was first released. But can a boo...

The story of Katniss Everdeen and the Hunger Games comes to a conclusion this episode as we discuss Mockingjay Part 2, directed by Francis Lawrence and written by Suzanne Collins. As the war for Panem reaches its climax, we have important things to discuss, like pouty Gale, Capitol decor, scifi jargon and the practicality of creating lizard people!