It might be sacrilegious to suggest watching Suspiria (2018) before Suspiria (1977), but if this episode is any indication, that might be the best approach. Whichever order you choose, we’ve got you covered with a surprise double feature. Check out our discussion of the remake here and our take on the original over on Reel Millennials (Don’t Remember). Don’t be fooled though—these films might have the same title, but the vibes couldn’t be more different. Luca Guadagnino’s homage to Dario Argento’s beloved classic stands firmly on its own two feet, even if it was divisive among critics (and your two hosts). On a new Why the Flick?, we’re invoking the spirit of dance and jumping all over the place as we unravel German history, femininity, and Tilda Swinton’s prank side.

Resources

https://www.wired.com/story/suspiria-movie-review/

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/suspiria-explained-what-is-movie-trying-say-1157724/

https://www.autostraddle.com/luca-guadagnino-suspiria-2018-good-horror-remakes/

https://layeredbutter.com/editorial/suspiria

https://www.vulture.com/2018/10/suspiria-a-german-history-primer.html

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/10/tilda-swinton-old-man-suspiria-who-plays-helena-markos

The Oscars might be over, but when we recorded this episode we had high hopes that Hamnet (2025) would see some award love. Thankfully, this time our instincts were right with Jessie Buckley clinching her much-deserved Best Actress win. Because even though this film is based around one of the most famous plays of William Shakespeare, it’s really Agnes’ story. This week on the podcast, we’re experiencing all the emotions in the critically acclaimed drama from Chloé Zhao that may or may not have been inspired by real historical events. One thing we know for sure is it’s richly layered in its portrayal of nature, mysticism, and a family’s enduring love. Join us as we dive into all the scrumptious symbolism, learn about 16th century earrings, and reckon with the fact that the Bard had a wife and kids?!

Resources

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a69593641/hamnet-william-agnes-shakespeare-true-story/

https://www.vulture.com/article/hamnet-review-the-most-devastating-movie-ive-seen-in-years.html

https://filmalysis.substack.com/p/the-hidden-genius-of-hamnet

https://time.com/7333783/jacobi-jupe-noah-jupe-hamnet-interview/

Did you miss us? We’re back for season 6 and celebrating our 100th episode with one of our favorite releases of last year—Weapons (2025). Directed by Zach Cregger of Barbarian and Whitest Kids U'Know fame, his sophomore flick delivers a fresh, unexpectedly funny take on the horror genre, where every scene leaves you asking “what is even happening?”. But beneath the unhinged chaos, it's also rife with themes of isolation, grief, trauma, and more depending on your personal interpretation. So get a little witchy with us as we unpack the unconventional narrative structure, explore parasite symbolism, and debate how many hot dogs are actually feasible for one person to eat.

Resources

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/weapons-audiences-disagree-movie-1236342296/

https://people.com/why-pedro-pascal-replaced-by-josh-brolin-weapons-11786603

https://www.screendaily.com/features/weapons-star-amy-madigan-on-why-she-didnt-see-aunt-gladys-as-the-villain-this-woman-is-fantastic/5211809.article

https://collider.com/weapons-narrative-structure-character-perspectives-rashomon/

https://www.buzzfeed.com/crystalro/weapons-details-easter-eggs-secrets

https://screenrant.com/weapons-movie-aunt-gladys-twist-parasite-detail-theory/

Welcome to the end of season 5! For our 99th bonus episode, we left it up to our listeners to decide and the people have spoken—our winning flick is The Mummy (1999). Made in a carefree era of blockbuster cinema, this instant crowd pleaser blends action, adventure, horror, romance, and comedy into a wild ride that somehow just works. Stephen Sommers’ passion project pays loving homage to the 1932 classic while giving it a modern twist, complete with juicy CGI effects and one of the most attractive casts to ever grace our screens. On a special finale of Why the Flick?, we’re remembering what it’s like to have fun at the movies as we decipher the film’s lasting popularity, questionable Egyptology, and peak eyebrow game.

Resources

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-mummy-1999

https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/the-mummy-1999-review-perfect-movie

https://ew.com/movies/2019/08/13/the-mummy-making-of-brendan-fraser-stephen-sommers/

https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/director-stephen-sommers-recalls-origin-of-his-hit-mummy-films

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-mummy-director-stephen-sommers-brendan-fraser-interview-1235893764/

https://screenrant.com/mummy-movies-details-behind-scenes-trivia/

https://vfxblog.com/2017/06/05/the-mummy-1999-vfx/

https://nilescribes.org/2022/01/08/egyptological-review-of-1999-mummy/

https://egyptmanchester.wordpress.com/2017/07/22/representation-and-reality-in-the-mummy-1999/

https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/brendan-fraser-officially-confirms-the-mummy-4-with-rachel-weisz

Brendan Fraser & Dwayne Johnson Actors on Actors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaIgDbFz-sY

Christmas is only two sleeps away which means we needed a holiday flick that perfectly fit the jolly and joyous season. Of course, we’re talking about The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992). Charles Dickens may not have envisioned puppets when he wrote this literary classic, but it’s definitively the best adaptation and for good reason. Quite frankly there’s no better cast to bring this beloved story to life than Kermit, Gonzo, Miss Piggy, Rizzo, and the legendary Michael Caine in undoubtedly his most famous role. And that’s before we get to the musical of it all, even if only one of your cohosts really vibed with all the songs. This week, we’re leaving it to the Muppets to teach us some culture, decode 19th-century slang, and remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.

Resources

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/dec/21/how-we-made-the-muppet-christmas-carol

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20221209-the-muppet-christmas-carol-festive-classics-dark-backdrop

https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/making-of-muppet-christmas-carol/

https://www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2019/12/20/a-grand-yuletide-theory-the-muppet-christmas-carol-is-the-best-adaptation-of-a-christmas-carol/

Your Muppet Christmas Carol Character: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRubNitkRee/

Brett Goldstein Muppets Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3gzf9ej18I

There’s an icy chill in the air and with it comes seasonal depression—so when we decided our next flick needed to capture those sad winter vibes we knew we had to go with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). Recognized by critics and film nerds as one of the best movies of the 21st century, this breakup story starring acting favorites Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet was revolutionary at the time for its existential meaning and emotional impact. But does it still hold up with a 2025 lens? We’re getting to the bottom of this question and more in our newest episode that unpacks the unique narrative structure, Michel Gondry’s questionable directing style, and how it fits within the sci-fi genre.

Resources

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/03/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind-anniversary-jim-carrey-michel-gondry

https://cintiar.medium.com/forget-me-not-eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind-and-the-trouble-with-wanting-to-forget-d5b65bfc3530

https://screenrant.com/eternal-sunshine-spotless-mind-ending-explained-joel-clementine/

https://www.focusfeatures.com/article/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind_20th-anniversary

https://reactormag.com/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind-navigating-the-landscape-of-human-emotion/

https://theasc.com/articles/forget-me-not-eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3664683.stm

It seems only right that since we started this season with The Substance it was time to circle back to her campy, slapstick sister Death Becomes Her (1992). Serving up more body comedy than body horror, this cult classic starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis is rife with cultural impact. It’s a flick that walked (or tumbled down a staircase) so others could run, inspiring generations of artists from Broadway to Sabrina Carpenter and most iconically the drag community. On a new episode of Why the Flick?, we’re going bottoms up into the Robert Zemeckis comedy to explore its relevance to anti-aging fads, groundbreaking special effects, and the living dead in Beverly Hills.

Resources

Sabrina Carpenter - Taste: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEG7b851Ric⁠

⁠https://creepycatalog.com/death-becomes-her-1992-trivia/⁠

⁠https://people.com/death-becomes-her-revolutionized-special-effects-8730702⁠

⁠https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/756545/retro-review-before-the-substance-there-was-death-becomes-her/⁠

⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/MovieDetails/comments/hpdm6c/in_death_becomes_her_1992_a_womans_figure_can/

Spooky season might be over, but we’re keeping the vibes going…and with a certain cinematic conclusion on the horizon, we felt it was the perfect time to revisit another sequel in the same universe (albeit less critically acclaimed) with Return to Oz (1985). Released during Disney’s experimental phase, this beautiful weirdo is a far cry from its OG predecessor—think less technicolor musical, more 80s fantasy meets 19th-century fairy tales. It’s a faithful adaptation to L. Frank Baum’s books complete with fever dream horrors ranging from electroshock therapy to creatures with wheels for hands and feet. Despite its creep factor being misunderstood at the time, it’s since amassed a loyal cult following for its dark tone and surprisingly paved the way for films like The Nightmare Before Christmas and the Star Wars prequels. In celebration of this flick’s 40th anniversary, we’re teaming up with movie milestone expert Release Date Rewind on our newest episode that covers Oz parallels, impressive practical effects, and all the fabulously dressed villains.

Listen to Release Date Rewind on Apple and Spotify. Follow @releasedaterewind on Instagram and YouTube.

Resources

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250616-the-darkest-childrens-film-ever-made

https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/movies/return-to-oz-six-things-that-made-the-1985-movie-a-cult-classic

https://theasc.com/articles/a-return-to-oz