Why the Flick?

Happy Pride Month! This episode, we’re celebrating the moment with one of the most iconic films in queer cinema: But I’m a Cheerleader (1999). This cult classic redefined LGBTQ+ representation with its authentic portrayal of the femme lesbian experience and satirical commentary on the absurdity of conversion camps. Despite critics (and the rating system) not getting it at the time, Jamie Babbit’s...

All good things must come to an end. Or do they? As we finally close out Monster Mania May with the movie that inspired the whole theme, we’re also kicking off a brand new event. Welcome to…Twilight Summer! For four months, we’ll be diving into the moody, sparkly, and supernatural saga so naturally we have to begin with the one that started it all—Twilight (2008). Before it became a worldwide phen...

Have you been absolutely loving Monster Mania May? We know you are, which is why we’re continuing our themed lineup with one of the most iconic creature features of all time: Alien (1979). That’s right, it’s the Ridley Scott genre-defining original that sparked a whole film franchise and launched Ellen Ripley into final girl fame. And with a new TV series on the horizon, one thing is certain—this...

It’s been a hot minute since Why the Flick? had a monthly theme. Thankfully your three favorite accidental geniuses have come up with something special to keep you entertained over the next four weeks: introducing Monster Mania May! To kick things off, we knew we had to take it back to the classic universal monsters. Our first pick may not be one of the cinematic OGs, but it certainly was inspired...

It’s a certain someone’s birthday on the pod! We’re celebrating our Taurus queen Danielle and gifting her the pick of this episode. So naturally, we chose a flick that’s quite literally the opposite of birth—The Death of Stalin (2017). Following the posthumous events of the Soviet dictator, it leans less historical drama and more political satire in a way that proves fact is often stranger than fi...

We never planned on picking the perfect April Fools’ Day movie. But when it features one of the biggest twist endings in cinema what can we say? Sometimes these things *~magically~* happen. We’re doing our best to unpack all the trickery and deception in The Prestige (2006). This Christopher Nolan masterpiece didn’t get as much love as some of his other blockbuster hits (although the hundreds of R...

Sometimes you just need a good cry. Like a REALLY good cry. Well listeners get those tissues ready because we’re sobbing our way through the beloved classic Homeward Bound (1993). That’s right, it’s the heartwarming story we all know of Shadow, Chance, and Sassy trekking across wilderness to find the way back to their owners. Whether it brought you pure joy as a kid or leaves you emotionally wreck...

OK so here’s the thing. When we recorded this episode weeks ago, we may have been a ~little~ presumptuous in predicting Demi Moore would win the Oscar for Best Actress. We even had a whole other episode description written just in case. But even though she didn’t take home the golden statue, her performance is nothing short of remarkable which brings us to the first flick of our season 5 lineup: T...

Did you miss us? We’re back with a brand new season of Why the Flick? and some exciting news to share. They say good things come in threes so our podcast is officially growing to a trio as our friends Danielle and Alex join Claire to take on the hosting mantle together! To kick off this new year new us vibe, we’re serving up the perfect appetizer: a get to know us minisode. Whether you’re a long-t...

When Christmas Eve and our finale happened to fall on the same day, it felt only right to close out on theme. We're wrapping up season 4 and our festive lineup with an OG favorite that gifted us one of the best portrayals of Saint Nick in cinema—The Santa Clause (1994). John and Georgia from Comfort Films Podcast join us to bring the holiday spirit and explore the legal ramifications of replacing...

The holiday season is upon us and there’s something about this time of year that makes us feel holly, jolly…and just a little bit chaotic. So it only made sense we bring that energy to Why the Flick? with the unconventional favorite Gremlins (1984). For the first flick in our festive lineup, we’re joined by Kyle from I Know Movies and You Don’t to unwrap all the madness of this beloved cult classi...

There’s been a lot of talk about extraterrestrials lately. Like A LOT of talk. If there is definitive proof that aliens are living in the ocean, it might just be found in the Robert Zemeckis sci-fi classic Contact (1997). Joining us are Spro and Lee Take on the Academy to take a cosmic leap (and maybe a leap of faith) into whether or not we’re alone in the universe. Despite the lack of spaceships,...

There’s only one way we can get out of our post-Halloween seasonal depression slump. It may have been season one when we last covered a Robin Williams flick, but we’re righting that wrong this episode by revisiting the comfort classic Jumanji (1995). Claire, Danielle and Alex play their way through this children’s book-turned-children's movie about a sentient board game that takes fun to a whole n...

Our Spooky Month series is coming to an end so for our finale it only made sense we cover THE scariest movie of all time (or so science says). It’s been over a decade since Sinister (2012) first terrified audiences and elevated heart rates, but does it still hold up to the No. 1 spot? We debate that question and more with guests Antonio, Dalia, and Quetzal from Sit Down Loser, We’re Watching a Mov...

Spooky Month is in full swing and for the second movie in our lineup we knew we had to take it back to a classic. This episode, we’re putting some *~shine~* on one of the most famous horror movies ever brought to life: The Shining (1980). Steven King may not have loved Stanley Kubrick’s take on his beloved novel, but that didn’t stop the film from becoming a genre favorite. From the “Here’s Johnny...

There are certain rules one must follow during the Halloween season. Always check your candy. Never blow out a Jack O'Lantern before midnight. And listen to Why the Flick? celebrate Spooky Month! That’s right, it’s horror movies all October and kicking us off is a film that’s a love letter to the holiday in every way—Trick ‘r Treat (2007). Sarah from Popcorn Chat joins us to discuss how this antho...

Starting a high school band is an experience Why the Flick? can relate to. Sure our musical stardom was extremely short-lived, but the three of us are still bringing that novice expertise into our next episode with Sing Street (2016). This Irish indie darling may have flown under the radar when it first released so Claire, Danielle, and Alex are here to put it back into the zeitgeist. Because desp...

If there’s one thing to be said about ‘80s media, it’s that it was RIFE with childhood trauma. Of any movie genre from our youth, none may be more fear-inducing than dark fantasy. This episode, we’re taking it back to one of the OGs in the cult classic space—The NeverEnding Story (1984). Miriam and Tawny from Two Chicks and a Horror Flick join us to talk about this beautifully weird film that birt...

There’s just something about a Nicolas Cage movie that really elevates the vibe. So when the choice came up to cover National Treasure (2004) this episode, the answer was as clear as a map on the back of the Declaration of Independence. While it might not be his most eccentric role, Cage still delivers in bringing the kookiness. Joining us are Bailey and Jess from Subtitles On or Off Podcast to ta...

LFG baby! After 15 years, we’re getting the reunion we’ve all been waiting for. The much-anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) is finally here so we’re breaking out our katanas and claws to cover it on the pod with Liz from Liz and a Movie. Ever since news broke that Ryan and Hugh would be teaming up in the MCU, audiences have been anxiously waiting to see if they could pull it off—and boy did t...

Why the Flick? always has a finger on the pulse. So when our Shark Month theme just so happened to coincide with the Summer Olympics, the choice was clear. For our grand fin-ale, we’re cautiously dipping our toes in the Seine with friend of the pod Elizabeth to cover the surprise French hit Under Paris (2024). This new contender in the genre doesn’t hold back any punches (or bite) though you may n...

Move over Shark Week, there’s a new fish in town. Here at Why the Flick? we love a theme, so we’re upping the ante and dedicating all of July to Shark Month! And kicking us off is a movie that just might be THE definitive ‘90s shark movie: Deep Blue Sea (1999). Claire, Alex, and Danielle are teaming back up to talk about this high-camp flick that actually has a lot to say about religion, sex, and...

When you think of Say Anything (1989), there’s really only one visual that comes to mind — John Cusack holding a boombox above his head. The movie is synonymous with this iconic moment, but what about the other hour and 39 minutes? This episode, we realize just how little we actually know about Cameron Crowe’s directorial debut. Surprisingly, this is so much more than an ‘80s rom-com. Like how it...

Happy Pride Month all you lime green Jell-Os and snowflake queens! We’re celebrating this joyful time of year with a movie that totally slays in every way. That’s right — it’s Jennifer’s Body (2009). Joining us to talk about the renaissance of this cult classic are our BFFs Chelsea and Monica from Spooky Tuesday. While it didn’t get the recognition it deserved at the time, we’re doing our part thi...

Have you heard about this reality TV show everyone is talking about? It follows a guy his entire life doing all these mundane things and get this — he doesn’t even know he’s being watched! Crazy, right? You should check it out. It’s called The Truman Show (1998). OK, jokes aside this doesn’t feel too far off from something that could happen in the year 2024. Joining us this episode is Martin from...