Nov 02 2020
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Episodes, Uncategorized

Episode 89. Die Partisan: The Dead Zone (1983)

SURPRISE! We’re back with a bonus episode to help you get through Election Day and the ensuing aftermath by talking about David Cronenberg’s The Dead Zone. In this episode, we delve into notions of fate, time travel paradoxes, cults of personality, the responsibility of the individual, and the importance of a good wool coat.
 
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REQUIRED READING

The Dead Zone. Dir. David Cronenberg, 1983.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Witches Are Coming. Lindy West’s essay collection written in response to the rise of Trump.
 
David Cronenberg, Debra Hill and Martin Sheen interviews. Interviews from the release of the film complete with great fashion and chain smoking.
 
The Philosophical Problem of Killing Baby Hitler, Explained. Vox’s explanation of the grandfather/Hitler paradox.
 
A Cult of Personality Can Derail Democracy. Why it’s important to recognize the danger of the track we’re on.

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Oct 31 2020
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Episodes, Uncategorized

Episode 88. Cult Classic: The Howling (1981)

We’re *virtually* live from Salem Horror Fest this year and we’re talking about sexy werewolves and not-so-sexy wellness with Joe Dante’s The Howling. From cultish retreats to women in media, Alex and Andrea go to the darkest reaches of the p0rn theatre… 
 
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REQUIRED READING

The Howling. Dir. Joe Dante, 1981.

EXTRA CREDIT

Feminist Critique of Freud. A summary of how Freud is less than friendly to women. It the privilege we envy, not the penis!
 
The Human Potential Movement Gone Awry. A look at how one wellness movement became co-opted.
 
Self Help Inc. Micki McGee’s book about how self-help became a cultural movement.
 
Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers. Sady Doyle’s book on the construct of woman as monster.
 
Haunted. Leo Braudy’s book on supernatural elements in the natural world told from an accessibly academic standpoint.

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Sep 27 2020
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Episodes

Episode 87. Mother Monster: Pyewacket (2017) and Hereditary (2018)

 
CW: Suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones: 1-800-273-8255. 
 
We’re kicking off a new semester by tackling two incredibly dark films that ask the question: have you checked on your mom lately? Alex and Andrea investigate the deepest depths of grief, despair and what we stand to lose (and gain) when we forsake our family for community.
 
 
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REQUIRED READING

Pyewacket. Dir. Adam MacDonald, 2017.
Hereditary. Dir. Ari Aster, 2018.

EXTRA CREDIT

Fack exclusive: Pyewacket filmmaker audio Commentary! Adam MacDonald’s enlightening commentary for his film.
 
Canadians Talking Shit. Adam MacDonald’s podcast – we recommend!
 
“This be the verse.” Larkin’s poem from Alex’s inaugural poetry corner.
 
The Book of Spells by Nicole de Pulford. Alex’s foray into teen witchcraft. Disclaimer! We assume no responsibility for those sealed pages!
 
“Mass Media and Religious Identity: A Case Study of Young Witches.” For all us elder millennials who called the corners in the park.
 
Generation Multiplex: The Image of Youth in Contemporary American Cinema. Timothy Shary’s examination of teens on screen.
 
Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers. Maybe the most oft-quoted book of this podcast? Sady Doyle’s book on the construct of woman as monster.
 
“Silencing the Dead: The Decline of Spiritualism.” A piece from The Atlantic on the history of spiritualism and its fall from fashion.
 
“Trans Horror Stories and Society’s Fear of the Transmasculine Body.” A trans reading of Hereditary.
 
“The Truth About the Five Stages of Grief.” Everything we learned in psych 101 was BS! See why Kubler-Ross’ popular grief model should be put down in this great video from Sci Show.

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Aug 28 2020
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BONUS CONTENT! Commentary: I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006)

The summer bonus trilogy concludes! Join Alex as she mines the occasional depths, miscalculations and style choices of Sylvain White’s I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer, examining whether the 1990s Teen Horror Cycle can exist in a new millennium.
 
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