The Silver Nitrate Witches' Movie Review Brew

Your Silver Nitrate Witches invite you to join their book coven—er, I mean, club—to learn about the birth of the concept of the movie star and how it's tied to the Old Hollywood studio system. We consult film scholar Jeanine Basinger's seminal text on the subject, The Star Machine (2007) (great read, highly recommend!). We also discuss whether or not Anne Hathaway is truly a movie star, conflictin...

The adaptation theme continues as the Silver Nitrate Witches discuss Eileen, the 2023 movie based on the Ottessa Moshfegh novel of the same name. This episode features a guest, film critic Payton McCarty-Simas. Your Silver Nitrate Witches consider how Eileen star Anne Hathaway's career has changed over the course of two decades. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms...

This week, the Silver Nitrate Witches explore the darker magic Anne Hathaway has brought out in her more recent indie films, where the actress has embraced serious and not-so-likeable roles that showcase her full range. We're talking about Armageddon Time (2022), a film set in 1980 that explores connections between that era and American racism, classism, and antisemitism today. You can find your S...

Mother Mary comes to me speaking words of wisdom, and she will NOT let it be in this new movie that is as flowing and beautiful as red silk and Shakespearean poetry. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their song “Highway Moon.” You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com . Than...

Have the Clackers at Runway finally grown a backbone? We’ll have to watch and see. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their song “Highway Moon.” You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com . Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.

As the world flocks back to Runway with the release of the sequel this month, the Silver Nitrate Witches take a look at The Devil Wears Prada (2006), growing up with Anne Hathaway, and the strangest grilled cheese with a special surprise guest. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks to Fine Motor for the use of their music. You can c...

This week, the Silver Nitrate Witches have an addition to our coven - our first guest Audra Lambert, who joins us as our art, gallery, and museum correspondent! Together, the three of us gather around the cauldron to chat about Ocean's 8 (2018), heist movies, and headlines of the art world. Audra Lambert currently serves as Curator of New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art at the University of So...

I got 99 problems, but Agent 99 ain't one of them! I spy with my little eye a new episode about super secret agents and the sub-sub-genre of the spoof spy movie. Also, Isabelle's desk is noisy and the world's loudest snow plow was coming down Laura's street, so apologies for any background noise! You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thank...

Join your Silver Nitrate Witches on a trip to Frell this week, visiting Hathaway in her fantasy role of Ella, from Ella Enchanted (2004). We talk all things Cinderella story, some early aughts fashion, and Heidi Klum. Isabelle even agrees with Roger Ebert for once! You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches, Laura Valenza and Isabelle Lang, on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Tha...

This week, Isabelle takes us back 25 years to the film debut of the star of our season, Anne Hathaway, with The Princess Diaries . We spend some time appreciating Garry Marshall's and Meg Cabot's separate visions, reminiscing about the cool girl-power movie we grew up with, and being bothered by Roger Ebert. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches, Laura Valenza and Isabella Lang, on various onli...

We are opening our third grimoire (aka season 3) and it's dedicated to the high priestess that is Anne Hathaway. If that sounds archaic, it's not as old-fashioned as Laura using "obstruse" instead of "abstruse." Find out what movies we'll be discussing this season in our podcast that is held together with duct tape and dreams, like Belle's favorite book.

Your Silver Nitrate Witches are just popping in this cozy evening to wish our listeners happy holidays, and introduce you to our next season next year! You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches, Laura Valenza and Isabelle Lang, on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks to Fine Motor for the use of their music. You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com. Thanks...

Merry Witchmas, Coven! Let's dive into the winter wonderland that is the history of the Christmas movie, particularly the Hallmark Christmas movie. Stay till the end and get a little dose of movie magic, holiday-style, too! Btw, Fern is the cat :) You can follow Laura Valenza @ljvalenza and Isabelle Lang @bellang303. Special thanks to Fine Motor for the use of their song "Highway Moon." Learn more...

This week, Isabelle brings you the podcast of your dreams, literally, with some movie magic from the film Inception (2010). Can you believe she doesn't say the phrase "dream team" once? She's impressed with her restraint. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches, Laura Valenza and Isabelle Lang, on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of the...

Hey baby, we're honoring the legacy of Diane Keaton by taking a closer look at her classic and empowering comedy, Baby Boom. Topics include art, Frank Stella, architecture, Bauhaus, and more. CLARIFICATION: the Bentwood chair was invented in the 19th century, but it was still very popular in the 20th! You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches, Laura Valenza and Isabelle Lang, on various online plat...

Your Silver Nitrate Witches are taking a break for the holiday this weekend, but we'll be back with more mini episodes next week. Plus, we'll be announcing our third Grimoire (aka Season 3) and returning to full-length episodes soon. Stay witchy. And keep watching movies.

Creme de la creme a la Edgar. That's it. That's the episode. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches, Laura Valenza and Isabelle Lang, on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks to Fine Motor for the use of their music. You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com. Thanks so much for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.

Let's shed some light on the feminist politics around George Cukor's 1944 film Gaslight starring Ingrid Bergman. This history might have some surprising connection to today's political climate. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches, Laura Valenza and Isabelle Lang, on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks to Fine Motor for the use of their music. You can check out more abo...

Join Isabelle this week as she joins the coven from The Craft (1996) and takes a trip down slumber party memory lane with Light as a Feather. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches, Laura Valenza and Isabelle Lang, on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks to Fine Motor for the use of their music. You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com. Thanks so much fo...

Blessed sanhaim, ciné-coven! That's right—this week, you get not one but TWO episodes. In our Halloween bonus special, Isabelle and Laura tackle paranormal investigative reality television. In this spirited investigation, we're feeling the magic of Conjuring Kesha, Dead Hot with Vanessa Hudgens, Living for the Dead, the Girly Ghost Hunters, and more! You can follow Laura Valenza @ljvalenza and Isa...

This week, the Silver Nitrate Witches pause talking about HOW we talk about movies, and instead Isabelle tells Laura all about WHERE movies get filmed, in this special Potion episode about on-location filming projects. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches, Laura Valenza and Isabelle Lang, on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their...

Join Isabelle this week to share a bit of insight about why Harvard gets a guest appearance in Legally Blonde (2001)! You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches, Laura Valenza and Isabelle Lang, on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their songs. You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com. Thanks so much for listening, sta...

Your silver nitrate Witch Laura is attending a toga party this week. What came first, the toga party or Animal House? Find out in this mini episode! You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches, Laura Valenza and Isabelle Lang, on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks to Fine Motor for the use of their song "Highway Moon." You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.c...

Do you believe God plays dice with the universe? How about just with the stars? Join Isabelle this week as she talks about astrology, star gazing, and magic telescopes...literally, along with the 1994 film IQ . You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches, Laura Valenza and Isabelle Lang, on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks to Fine Motor for the use of their music. You can c...

A bit of tea magic to help you feel more like yourself? Yes please! Join Isabelle as she examines a cozy scene from Studio Ghibli's film Ponyo (2008), and walks you through a delightful drink recipe. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches, Laura Valenza and Isabelle Lang, on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks to Fine Motor for the use of their music. You can check out mo...