Really Important Fictional Things

It's spooky season folks! This week we're diving into Hocus Pocus and it's follow-up Hocus Pocus 2 ! We analyze the pros and cons of sequels and wokeness, and wax poetic on how crushable and problematic boys were in the 90s. Later, Rosey is devouring Tell Me Lies and Avery is comfort watching Great British Baking Show. Next week we'll cover the final installment of The Afterpar...

On our watch along this week we're discussing episodes 5 and 6 of The Afterparty - "High School" and "Zoe". We've got theories!  We'll cover the next two episodes of The Afterparty, "Danner" and "Maggie" in two weeks, it'll drop on Wednesday, October 26.  And next week, we're looking at the seminal spooky classic  Hocus Pocus!  Sign...

This week we're looking at and talking about 1995's Casper. It's an Avery childhood fave and Rosey is skeptical of almost all of it. Our conversation is as kooky as the movie itself. Before that we chat about what we're watching - Rosey is watching more mystical teens and Avery watched a few things on the more serious side. Next up next week is the next  installment of The Afte...

Our watch along continues! This week we're discussing episodes 3 and 4  of The Afterparty - "Yasper" and "Chelsea". We really don't know what's going to happen, but of course, we've got a lot of theories.  We'll cover the next two episodes of The Afterparty, "High School" and "Zoe" in two weeks, it'll drop on Wednesday, October...

This week we're diving into the Apple TV+ original Mythic Quest ! From the minds of the Always Sunny crew, this workplace comedy is one of our faves. We get into all the hijinks, narcissism, unlikeable female characters, and more! On what we watched, Avery's not loving The Rings of Power and Rosey has a love-hate relationship with Kevin Can Go F Himself. Next up next week is our second i...

Our watch-alongs are back! This week, we're discussing the first two episodes  of The Afterparty - "Aniq" and "Brett". Unlike our Yellowjackets series, we're watching along in real time,  so we don't know the ending but we're already making guesses. We'll cover the next two episodes of The Afterparty, "Yasper" and "Chelsea" in two we...

This week we're discussing Genre. Fantasy, True Crime, Rom Com, War...what's your favorite and why? We share listener opinions and our own. On the What We Watched section we discuss fave reality streams, and go tread into some spoilers for The Summer I Turned Pretty (proceed with caution). Next week we're watching along with The Afterparty's episode 1 and 2! Tune in to hear our...

This week we’re diving into Hacks… again. Season 2 is out and it was so good, we had to revisit the show. This time we also talk about the phenomenal and groundbreaking creators Lucia Aniello & Paul W. Downs. Before that, we talk about what we’ve been watching. Rosey was sick so her list is embarrassingly long, but you’ll get some good recs out of it and Avery is readying a non-fictional book...

This week we’re taking a long look at the delightful Stick It. Want to find out why gymnasts always have wedgies? We’ve got answers. We also fill you in on what we’ve been watching, and look at a new kind of list: AV club’s top 25 movies of 2022 so far. Next week we’re returning to Hacks for a season 2 breakdown because we can’t get enough, and also taking an in-depth look at the creators behind t...

This week we’re diving into Pixar’s 1998 A Bug’s Life . It’s still fun and cute and imaginative but as adults we’re also seeing through the cracks. Down the rabbit hole we go as we talk about colonialism, gender, Roe v Wade, capitalism, and what actually happens when caterpillars become butterflies. Before that Avery updates us on her experience with Hacks season 2 and Rosey reviews Love, Victor s...

This week we’re diving into the 1996 critical hit Scream . We’re screaming about it, but not necessarily in delight. Avery, who loved this movie as a youngin, is particularly shocked by her reaction upon rewatch — Rosey as usual pulls no punches. On what we watched we chat about Fleabag season 2 (minor spoilers), Hacks season 2, Stranger Things (minor spoilers), and surprise! Basketball. Next week...

This week we’re loving HBO Max’s Hacks. We have a crush on this show and all its characters. We dive into the “female of it all”, the beauty of mentorship, the difference between high and low brow living, and the abundance of non-awkward awkward moments. For What We Watched, Avery is catching up with Conversations with Friends and is equally befuddled. Next week we’re talking about the groundbreak...

This week we're investigating the Tom Hanks baby, and Liv Tyler star vehicle despite almost no lines, That Thing You Do!  There's pop music, musician divas, nearly silent women, a magical black man...we've got a lot to talk about. For What We Watched, New Girl is a forever love and Conversations With Friends is confusing. Then we check out the Netflix Top 10. Don’t forget to check o...

This week we take a look at Bring it On and for a movie from 2000, we’re pretty impressed. It’s not perfect, but it’s a fun, feminist movie with some badass women feeling no shame. Before diving in, Avery talks about watching Candy and Rosey can’t get enough of Grace & Frankie. Then we finish up with Netflix’s top 10. Next week we’ll cover Rosey’s childhood favorite and Tom Hanks’ directorial...

This week we're holding our nose and diving into 2009's emotionally devastating He's Just Not That Into You . First we chat about what we watched, including Jennifer Anniston's MUCH better turn in The Morning Show. No list this week, that'll be back next week, when we talk about the delightful Bring It On ! (BIO is only available to stream on YouTube for free, so catch it...

This week we’re talking about one of Avery’s favorites: the 2002 The Bourne Identity . Matt Damon is capable and hot, spoiler alert. Also, we’re convinced this is actually just a romance masquerading as an action movie. Needless to say, we get into it. But first, Rosey talks about binging Heartstopper and Avery continued with the “week of Matt Damon” and rewatched Good Will Hunting. Then it’s back...

This week we’re diving into the delightful, painful, hilarious, beautiful Australian show Please Like Me . We have so much to say about it and its creator Josh Thomas that we recorded the shortest “what we’ve watched” section ever. We wrap things up will an all new kind of list. Next week we’ll cover one of Avery’s favorites: The Bourne Identity. Find it on HBO Max. Thing we trailed: None! We look...

This week we’re diving into the 1993 ground-breaking (and shaking) Jurassic Park. Steven’s very into the traditional American nuclear family, as well as dinos, and we’ve got thoughts! We also discuss what we’ve watched, including a lengthy appreciation corner for Hot Ones. At the end we revisit the Netflix Top 10, which happens to be really dark this week — are we all doing okay? Next week we’ll c...

We’re back! This week we jump into Netflix’s phenomenal, hilarious, and touching (in more ways than one) show Sex Education . We truly can’t recommend it enough as it leads with curiosity over judgement, has wildly impressive acting, and shows us an aspirational world that would be a joy to live in. Before that, er talk about the myriad of things we watched over our mini break, including, but not...

This week we're discussing episode 10 THE FINALE "Sic Transit Gloria Mundi".  Remember, although we focus primarily on episode 10, this contains spoilers for the entirety of season one. Thanks for buzzing along with us on this rewatch journey! Catch ya on the next one. Sign up for our newsletter at theriftpod.com . Find us on instagram and twitter @theriftpod. See you next week for...

This week we going on a wondrous tour of American teen films. From sex comedies to body horror to romantic drama TV dynasties, there’s a lot going on. And we know from experience that these movies can really shape a young impressionable mind, and therefore a whole generation. The what we watched section features a mini deep dive (with spoilers) on Hulu’s Fresh . And instead of a list this week we’...

This week we're discussing Yellowjackets episode 9 "Doomcoming".  Remember, although we focus primarily on episode 9, this contains spoilers for the entirety of season one. Next we cover THE FINALE "Sic Transit Gloria Mundi" and that drops Friday 4/8 Sign up for our newsletter at theriftpod.com . Find us on instagram and twitter @theriftpod. See you next week for our first...

This week we talk about the 1999 10 Things I Hate About You. As Avery so aptly puts it, “These were the feminist crumbs we subsisted on.” That pretty much sums up how we feel about the plot, but we adore the characters and get into why. We also talk about new and old content from Amy Schumer. Avery talks about the“horrifying” and “visceral” movie Fresh and Rosey updates us on the disappointing How...

This week we're discussing Yellowjackets episode 8 "Flight of the Bumblebee".  Remember, although we focus primarily on episode 8, this contains spoilers for the entirety of season one. Next we cover episode nine "Doomcoming" and that drops Friday 4/1 Sign up for our newsletter at theriftpod.com . Find us on instagram and twitter @theriftpod. See you next week for our firs...

This week we talk about the 2000 Sandra Bullock classic Miss Congeniality . We're very confused and conflicted and go on quite a journey. Before that, Avery and Rosey can barely remember what they've been doing but still give updates on soccer and The Bachelor . And we top it off with more Sandra by looking at Oprah Daily's list: 32 Sandra Bullock Movies, Ranked from Worst to Best ....