The Reckless Musecast

In this episode, Ben and Joe review "We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite" by Musa al-Gharbi. The book explores how "symbolic capitalists" have claimed to be on the side of social justice without actually helping the marginalized and disadvantaged; the origins of the term "woke" and the various Great Awokenings throughout American history; and more. Follow Ben D'Ales...

In this episode, Ben and Joe discuss Adam McKay's prediction that WICKED will be banned in 3-5 years; and the art world's censorious response to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/El__Ben - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendalessio/ - Medium: https://medium.com/@bendalessio17 - Facebook: https://www....

GET LITERATE! In this episode, Ben and Joe share their five favorite books they read in 2024, ranging from classics to bestsellers to horror to historical fiction and more. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/El__Ben - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendalessio/ - Medium: https://medium.com/@bendalessio17 - Facebook: https://www.facebo...

In this episode, Ben returns from his trip to Italy and tells Joe about its arts & culture; the Spectator article "The death of the American museum"; and the recent controversies around UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Daniel Penny, and Taylor Lorenz. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/El__Ben - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...

In this episode, Joe continues his conversation with writer, director, producer, and actor David Krae about his wild adventures in Hollywood and the entertainment industry, the unique relationship between actors and directors, and more. Stay tuned for the second part of this conversation! (Also, Ben is on his honeymoon and will be back soon...unfortunately.) Follow David Krae: - Twitter/X: https:/...

In this episode, Joe talks to writer, director, producer, and actor David Krae about his wild adventures in Hollywood and the entertainment industry, the unique relationship between actors and directors, and more. Stay tuned for the second part of this conversation! (Also, Ben is on his honeymoon and will be back soon...unfortunately.) Follow David Krae: - Twitter/X: https://x.com/DavidKrae - Watc...

In this episode, Ben and Joe talk about Tony Hinchcliffe's refusal to apologize for his Puerto Rico joke at Trump's Madison Square Garden rally; Ben defends Susan Sarandon amid her cancellation from Hollywood; their thoughts on the National Coalition Against Censorship’s (NCAC) Arts & Culture Advocacy Program; and more. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twitter: h...

In this episode, Ben and Joe talk about the 2024 presidential election; the changing politics of New Jersey and California; the media and celebrities' reactions to election results; and more. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/El__Ben - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendalessio/ - Medium: https://medium.com/@bendalessio17 - Facebook:...

In this episode, Ben and Joe conclude HorrorFest 2024 sharing their thoughts on newer horror movie releases along with more obscure horror films worth digging up. They also discuss Quentin Tarantino's MOSTLY correct thoughts on Hollywood remaking everything. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/El__Ben - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b...

In this episode, Ben and Joe continue HorrorFest 2024 with GIALLO FILMS, focusing on Dario Argento's Deep Red, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, Tenebrae, and others. Joe also rants about how much he hates film festivals while Ben patiently listens. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/El__Ben - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendaless...

In this episode, Ben and Joe continue HorrorFest 2024 with ANALOG HORROR, including The Mandela Catalogue, Gemini Home Entertainment, LOCAL58TV, Monuments Mythos, and The Backrooms. They also discuss how Musa Al-Gharbi rules. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/El__Ben - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendalessio/ - Medium: https://med...

In this episode, Ben and Joe continue HorrorFest 2024 with HAUNTED HOUSE MOVIES! Some of the films they discuss are House (1985), House II: The Second Story (1987), The Changeling (1980), The Shining (1980), The Woman in Black (2012), Poltergeist (1982), and more. They also conclude that, other than a few gems, they don't like haunted house movies that much. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https:...

In this episode, Ben and Joe kick off HorrorFest 2024 with MONSTER MOVIES! They discuss the Moder (from The Ritual), The Blob (1988 version), Universal Monsters (from Monster Squad), Pennywise (from IT), The Thing, Pinhead (from the Hellraiser films), Godzilla, and more. They also discuss the fucked up ending from 2007's The Mist. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twi...

In this episode, Ben and Joe talk about the Free Press article "My French Teacher Was Beloved for 25 Years. Then She Was Asked About Hijabs"; and Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano’s lawsuit against Oklahoma historian James Gregory for calling out the inaccuracies in his Alvin York biography. There's also inane chatter about Philly cheesesteak sandwiches and Gotham City. Follow Ben D'Alessio:...

In this episode, Ben and Joe talk about: - The Free Press article, "Twelve Months to Fall Back in Love with America" (link: https://www.thefp.com/p/twelve-months-to-fall-back-in-love) and the importance of the road trip in American culture. - The Free Press article, "Can a Woman Be a Drag Queen?"(link: https://www.thefp.com/p/can-woman-be-drag-queen) and the self-eating tendenc...

In this episode, Ben and Joe talk about: - Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris - Art history professor Erika López Prater and her ongoing battle with Hamline University over her decision to show paintings of Muhammad in her class - Will Ferrell's regret over doing drag in past SNL sketches - 2017's The Endless. *Oh, and they talk about how cigarettes make you look. Follow Ben D...

In this episode, Ben and Joe talk about the opening of the University of Texas at Austin (UATX); Molson Coors ditches the DEI; Jenna Ortega says something we've been saying for years; and another Shed Selection, 2012's Resolution. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/El__Ben - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendalessio/ - Me...

In this episode, Ben and Joe talk about Kat Rosenfield's Free Press article, "What School Didn’t Teach Us: You Need to Lose Control," and Gen Z's aversion to fun and risk; and Rolling Stone's interview with Francis Ford Coppola on his upcoming film, Megalopolis, and his creative process. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twitter: https://twit...

In this episode, Ben and Joe talk about how the New York Times still isn't over the loss of renegade journalist Bari Weiss (from Matt Flegenheimer's NYT article, "Bari Weiss Knows Exactly What She’s Doing"); and how the Independent is so offended by Elon Musk, it published an article on how Twitter/X users can delete their accounts. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://ww...

In this episode, Ben and Joe talk about the Spectator article, "Coercion and coddling take campus"; the recent story of Columbia University deans resigning over accusations of antisemitism on campus; and actress Jenna Ortega's recent remark about how "everything I do in life with the confidence of the average white man. That changed my life. That made me feel better.” Follow Ben...

In this episode, Ben and Joe talk about the prescience and modern-day relevance of Anthony Burgess' 1962 novel, The Wanting Seed; and David Lynch's cult 1977 classic, Eraserhead. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/El__Ben - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendalessio/ - Medium: https://medium.com/@bendalessio17 - Facebook:...

In this episode, Ben and Joe discuss Federico Fellini's famous film, 8 1/2; how William Friedkin deals with actors; and how David Lynch met Fellini through pasta. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/El__Ben - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendalessio/ - Medium: https://medium.com/@bendalessio17 - Facebook: https://www.facebook...

In this episode, Ben and Joe welcome their buddy Jim Clark back to the show to talk about their favorite underrated horror movie gems. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/El__Ben - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendalessio/ - Medium: https://medium.com/@bendalessio17 - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BenDAlessioWriting/ Also, c...

In this episode, Ben and Joe gush over their love of Nic Cage and his beautiful madness, reviewing their favorite of his flicks, and his recent interview in the New Yorker, "Nicolas Cage Is Still Evolving." Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/El__Ben - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendalessio/ - Medium: https://medium.c...

In this episode, Ben and Joe wax patriotic about their love for 'Merica; and talk about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict's impact on the contemporary art world, specifically the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle and Craft Alliance in St. Louis. Follow Ben D'Alessio: - Website: https://www.bendalessio.com/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/El__Ben - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendaless...