Movies That Matter
146 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★ - 21 ratingsMovies that Matter is the podcast going beyond basic film criticism to boldly explore a social issue affecting people's lives.
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Episodes
2024 Oscar Show: Design and Animated Awards
March 07, 2024 12:00 - 26 minutes - 112 MB VideoNicole, Lexy, and Stacy tackle the Oscars covering costume, production design, song and animated films. We share our thoughts on the nominees and the films we saw in 2023. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page
2024 Oscar Show: Performances
March 04, 2024 12:00 - 49 minutes - 207 MB VideoNicole, Lexy, Justin, and Stacy tackles the Oscars covering the best performances-- supporting actor/actress and leading actor/actress. We share our thoughts on the nominees and the films we saw in 2023.
2024 Oscar Show: Best Overall Awards
February 26, 2024 22:03 - 52 minutes - 314 MB VideoNicole, Lexy, Justin, and Stacy tackles the Oscars covering Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Director and Best Picture. We share our thoughts on the nominees and the films we saw in 2023. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page
Flashback: The Farewell and Staying vs. Leaving for America
January 25, 2024 12:00 - 53 minutes - 53.4 MBChristopher and Nicole with special guest, Dan, discuss The Farewell and the issues that come along with generational conflicts that cross international boundaries as well. We disagree about the actual quality of the filmmaking particularly the bizarre score, Dan discusses the dissonance between what was considered funny by Asian vs non-Asian audiences, and the tension between the families who emigrate and the families who stay. It's worth hearing the real story from This American Life. For ...
Flashback: Get Out and White Spaces
January 11, 2024 12:00 - 50 minutes - 51.6 MBNicole and Stacy talk with Sari about Get Out, the fear of being black in white spaces, white fragility, and horror movie tropes. Mentioned in the episode is a an interview with Jordan Peele on the Nerdist podcast. Recommendations this week: This Is Us and Tucker and Dale vs. Evil. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page
Wonka and Pure Imagination
December 28, 2023 15:55 - 43 minutes - 43.6 MBGarret and Nicole gush over Wonka and the movie's whimisical and joyful pure imagination. We love the cast, the costumes, the sets, and the world the movie created. We literally tear up talking about getting enveloped by this movie. We talk about the value of having genuine emotional experiences at the movies without having to tackle all the world's ills. Garret recommends reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory out loud to another person. Nicole recommends While You Were Sleeping. We...
Napoleon and War Movies
December 14, 2023 12:00 - 42 minutes - 34.6 MBAdam and Nicole discuss Napoleon and what makes for a good war movie. We don't know what this movie was about and found it a failure of a narrative. Beyond that, the acting and casting choices didn't work, the soundtrack made no sense, and only the costumes were worthy of praise. We discuss what makes for a good war movie including having stakes, an understanding of the cause, and perspectives from among the ranks. Also you actually have to have two armies fighting in the movie for it to be ...
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and How to Play the Hunger Games
November 30, 2023 12:00 - 53 minutes - 44.1 MBGarret, Stacy, and Nicole discuss the Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes after also reading the book. As fans of the Hunger Games, we all enjoyed the movie and the look back at how Katniss and Peeta's games came to be. We praise the cast diversity, but disagree on the success of the rewind back to earlier times presented in the movie. We discuss what it means to play the Hunger Games and to win them. We dig into how our backgrounds and personalities guide our chosen strategies. G...
Rustin and Building a Protest
November 16, 2023 12:00 - 46 minutes - 40.1 MBJustin and Nicole discuss Rustin and the intricacies of putting together social moviements. We highly enjoyed the performances, particularly Colman Domingo who captured the charisma and passion of Bayard Rustin. We talk about the challenges, the infighting, and the varying approaches to building a social movement. Justin recommends Lawmen: Bass Reeves. Nicole recommends Nature's Premium aloe cream. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page
Killers of the Flower Moon and Centering American Indians
November 02, 2023 12:00 - 51 minutes - 32.4 MBJustin and Nicole with special guest Rosebud Sioux tribe member Marietta discuss Killers of the Flower Moon and American Indian stories that aren't getting told. We disagree on our enjoyment of a three and a half hour movie but praise the performances. We wish the story focused more on the Osage. We have a wide ranging discussion on American Indian culture and history. We learn about Maria Tallchief, prima ballerina from the Osage tribe. Marietta also recommends checking out the Gathering...
The Exorcist: Believer and the Horror of Possession
October 27, 2023 16:13 - 43 minutes - 41.6 MBAdam and Lexy discuss The Exorcist: Believer and whether being possessed by the devil still carries the same scare factor as it did when the original movie was made. Both hosts find the new movie fails to make good use of a legacy character and falls flat in the scare factor. We discuss if possession by the devil remains a timely fear versus other forms of possession. We find a known factor makes the fear much more unlikely. Adam recommends author Ashley Herring Blake. Lexy recommends Butt...
Dumb Money and the Trap of Individual Investing
September 28, 2023 19:00 - 44 minutes - 41.4 MBLexy and Nicole discuss Dumb Money and the difficulties most of us face running our investments. Lexy liked the movie better than Nicole who could not get past the central messaging of bad financial advice. We find the movie does a good job bringing audiences back into the world of the pandemic and describes the financial techniques and the basics of reddit well but some of the characters fell short. We discuss how the american economy has forced us all to be investors without the necessary ...
Barbie and The Patriarchy Part II
August 24, 2023 17:45 - 26 minutes - 21.2 MBPicking up where they left in the discussion of the male backlash again Barbie, Stacy and Nicole talk about how the movie stays away from using the word feminism but that the patriarchy is bad for both genders. We also discuss the consumerism aspect of Barbie. Stacy recommends Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and Nicole recommends season 16 of Business Wars: Hasbro vs Mattel. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page
Barbie and The Patriarchy Part I
August 17, 2023 14:50 - 44 minutes - 35.7 MBStacy and Nicole discuss Barbie and the movie's message about The Patriarchy. The first of a two part episode, we praise the movie for its sets, costumes, performances, and its honor of Barbie. We get into the male backlash against the movie and how men prefer toxic masculinity to any alternative presented on the left. Stay tuned for the second half! Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page
Oppenheimer and Mutually Assured Destruction
August 03, 2023 12:00 - 44 minutes - 42.3 MBJustin and Nicole discuss Oppenheimer and the issues around nuclear proliferation. We disagree on how much we liked the movie. We enjoyed the parts about the bomb and the sound design but disagreed on the later segments featuring Robert Downey Jr. We talk about the benefits and risks of nuclear proliferation, and Japan's special status as the only country to experience a nuclear bomb. Justin recommends Hardcore History: Supernova in the East and Peaky Blinders. Nicole recommends Copenhage...
Joy Ride and Korean Adoptees
July 20, 2023 12:00 - 49 minutes - 30.9 MBLexy, Nicole, and special guest Monique discuss Joy Ride and the unique experience of Korean adoptees growing up in white families. We disagree on the humor based on personal taste and our appreciation of raunchy comedy. We all enjoyed the more serious and heartfelt aspects of film. We delve into a discussion about the experiences of Korean adoptees especially the difficulties of interracial adoption and how that affects identity. Lexy recommends Nimona, Nicole recommends Uncoupled, and Mo...
The Dial of Destiny and a Review of Indiana Jones
July 13, 2023 12:00 - 44 minutes - 39.2 MBAdam and Nicole talk Indiana Jones, reviewing Dial of Destiny and the franchise as a whole. We give our definitive rankings on the five films and talk about how Indiana Jones has weathered the changes in movies while staying surprisingly consistent over time. At heart, the franchise is a swashbuckling adventure featuring a likable hero, a rare commodity these days. Adam recommends the Insidious franchise and Nicole recommends Vienna Blood. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page
Elemental and The Immigrant Story
June 29, 2023 12:00 - 43 minutes - 40 MBLexy and Nicole discuss Elemental and the stereotypical immigrant story. Lexy liked the movie better than Nicole despite agreeing the plot and writing were clunky. Performances by the actors elevated the poor material. The story sticks to a very stereotypical immigrant story casting the first generation american child against the prescribed path of her immigrant parents. It does little to tread any new territory beyond the basics. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page Nicole recomm...
Across the Spider-Verse and the Modern Superhero
June 15, 2023 19:00 - 48 minutes - 42.1 MBJustin, Stacy, and Nicole discuss the Miles Morales Spider-Verse and Spider-Man's introduction in the 1960s as the first modern superhero. We are blown away by the animation first and foremost and the sheer creativity on display. We talk about the origins of Spider-Man as a novel character being a relatable teen and discuss how new Spider "people" fit into a modernized version of a superhero. Justin recommends Everything Everywhere All At Once, Stacy recommends The Blackening, and Nicole ...
The Little Mermaid in Queer Canon
June 02, 2023 20:14 - 52 minutes - 67.3 MBGarret and Nicole discuss The Little Mermaid and the story's place in the queer canon. We both enjoyed the film, while not necessarily agreeing on the need for a remake. We dissect some of the crucial changes that fundamentally alter the message of the movie particularly the changes to Ursula. We discuss the origins of the story that is itself an analogy for queer love and the queer coding in the 1989 original. Garret recommends the original Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid. Ni...
Are You There God? It's Me Margaret and Enforced Religion
May 12, 2023 17:37 - 49 minutes - 63.6 MBGarret and Nicole discuss Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret the film adaptation of Judy Blume's beloved novel. We praise the movie for its heartfelt emotion, never straying into saccharine messaging or melodrama. We both agree Kathy Bates was miscast. We discuss the horrors of puberty and some of the movie's themes about a religious upbringing. Garret recommends Dear Mr. Henshaw. Nicole recommends a menstrual cup. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page
Renfield and the Legacy of Dracula
April 28, 2023 17:52 - 48 minutes - 46.8 MBJustin, Adam, and Nicole discuss Renfield and the enduring legacy of Dracula. We enjoyed the movie's fresh take on Dracula, one of fiction's most enduring characters. We found the movie funny and the characters appealing. We talk about why Dracula continues to be a popular figure on film going through some history and canon with a larger discussion about the appeal of vampires. Justin recommends Invicible. Adam recommends Weather Man. Nicole recommends book and movie About a Boy. Websit...
Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and Role-Playing Games
April 10, 2023 14:29 - 42 minutes - 38.4 MBGarret and Nicole review Duneons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and the importance of role-playing games. We were both delighted by the movie, particularly the ensemble cast and the wonderful world building. We discuss the merits of building commmunity in role-playing games and the benefit of hobbies in general. Garret recommends trying Dungeouns and Dragons or an escape room. Nicole recommends the movie Tetris. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page
Scream VI and the Scream Franchise
March 23, 2023 12:00 - 45 minutes - 40 MBAdam and Nicole talk all things Scream. We give our rankings for the six released movie and discuss the franchise's endurance and it's ability to shift with the times. Adam recommends True Dective Season 2 and The Dry by Jane Harper. Nicole recommends Mythic Quest. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page
Cocaine Bear and the War on Drugs
March 10, 2023 15:19 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MBJustin and Nicole discuss Cocaine Bear and America's War on Drugs. We both enjoyed the B movieness of it all, the diversity of the cast, and its 80s authenticity. We segue into a discussion on the harms of the War on Drugs and why America can't seem to reform drug policy based on evidence. Nicole recommends Justified. Justin recommends Ozark. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page
M3GAN and the Dangers of A.I. Companions
January 23, 2023 22:00 - 45 minutes - 46.9 MBLexy and Nicole discuss M3GAN and the costs of relying on A.I. for companionship, particularly on childhood development. We were surprised how much we liked the movie and impressed with the creation of M3GAN technologically. We discussed how relying on screens/technology for our relationship needs it degrades our emotional well-being. Lexy recommends The Devil in Me. Nicole recommends The Two-Family House.
Babylon and Auteurism
January 09, 2023 22:00 - 46 minutes - 42.7 MBAdam and Nicole discuss Babylon and the sacrifices they have to make for MtM listeners. The movie is a joyless, scatalogical slog excepting the scenes of film being made. We discuss who deserves to get this level of creative control in a movie and where future auteurs will be developed. Adam recommends Tar. Nicole recommends The Take's The Dragon Lady Trope. Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page
Empire of Light and the Magic of Film
December 29, 2022 21:39 - 46 minutes - 41.7 MBStacy and Nicole discuss Empire of Light and how movie theaters help make the world more bearable. We find the movie beautifully crafted and acted, but lacking in subletly. We're unsure how effective the portrayal of mental illness and May/December romance works for the movie. We also discuss how movies create community and joy, but escapism can only go so far. Stacy recommends . Nicole recommends Website Store YouTube Facebook Group Page
She Said and #metoo
December 12, 2022 16:22 - 55 minutes - 48.4 MBLexy, Stacy and Nicole discuss She Said and the aftermath of the #metoo movement. We found the movie started slow and a bit stilted but overall the strong performances from the entire cast elevated the movie. We discuss what changes have been made post #metoo. We're skeptical about how men have changed their attitudes and behavior and also cover some real changes that have been made to employment law around salaries and the use of non-disclosure agreements. Stacy unrecommends Mash, Nicole ...
Triangle of Sadness and Anti-Capitalism
November 17, 2022 12:00 - 44 minutes - 42 MBGarret and Nicole discuss Triangle of Sadness. We disagree on the value of the movie and about anti-capitalism. We get into a generational debate about what it means to eat the rich. Nicole recommends The Exterminating Angel and Garret recommends The Square, After the Dark, and Anne Frank's poetry. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook Group Page
Till and Civil Rights Activism
November 03, 2022 12:00 - 46 minutes - 44.1 MBJustin and Nicole discuss Till and the many paths people take to activism. We appreciated the colorful pallette and rich interiors and the decision not to show violence. We cover Mamie's grief journey and how standing up for her son naturally led to standing up for civil rights. Justin recommends Netflix movie The Harder They Fall, and Nicole recommends the podcast Sentimental Garbage. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook Group Page
Nope and Voyeurism
August 11, 2022 12:00 - 46 minutes - 42 MBJustin and Nicole discuss Nope and when it's ok to gawk at the spectacle and when we should look away. We appreciate the cinematography and the carefully crafted details Jordan Peele adds to his films. We discuss the line between voyeurism that leads to negative societal impact and the things we need to look at in order to create social change. Justin recommends Lovecraft Country on HBO and Nicole recommends Dopesick on Hulu. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook Group Page
Elvis and Shady Music Managers
July 27, 2022 20:59 - 43 minutes - 43.2 MBAdam and Nicole discuss Elvis and how the music industry is plagued by shady managers and unfair contracts even to this day. We both appreciated Austin Butler’s performance as Elvis but found the early part of the movie technically problematic. We delve into how prevalent shady managers and unfair contracts still are in the music industry. Adam recommends Lapvona by Otessa Moshfegh and Nicole recommends American Scandal's series on payola. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook Group...
Good Luck to You, Leo Grande and Sex Work
July 07, 2022 12:00 - 45 minutes - 40.9 MBStacy and Nicole discuss Good Luck to You, Leo Grande and the complications of sex work. We were both disarmed by Daryl McCormack's performance and appreciated the lighting and art direction. We discuss sex tourism for women and the how sex work fits into caring professions in general. Stacy recommends The Girlfriend Experience and Nicole recommends The Sessions.
Fire Island and Gay Hierarchy
June 24, 2022 21:00 - 49 minutes - 48.1 MBGarret and Nicole discuss Fire Island, how well the #Pride and Prejudice adaptation worked and how gay hierarchies work in real life. We enjoyed the comedy and soundtrack, but not the romance and found the writing weak in places. We talk throught the racial and money divide in the gay community, and how oppressed groups create their own systems of oppression. Garret recommends Pride and the Disney shorts for Pride. Nicole recommends 4th Man Out. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebo...
Men and Toxic Masculinity
June 10, 2022 21:00 - 46 minutes - 62.6 MBLexy and Nicole discuss Men, whether the movie was actually scary, toxic masculinity, and the roles men force on women. We criticize the movie for not really understanding the subject matter and not capturing women's perspectives. Watch Promising Young Woman instead. Lexy recommends An Absolutely Remarkable Thing. Nicole recommends Lessons in Chemistry. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook group page
AwesomeCon: Who You Calling A Villain
August 29, 2021 19:43 - 44 minutes - 63.1 MBWhat does it mean to be a villain? Movie villains have gone from supporting characters in classic hero’s tales to protagonists in their own movies and franchises. Join the Movies That Matter podcast team in a discussion about the rise of villain-centered movies. The panel will dive into the trend, discussing the values and morals reflected in the sub-genre and how it relates to society today. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook group page
AwesomeCon Planning 1
July 30, 2021 21:00 - 1 hour - 60.7 MBA departure from the usual fare, listen to the AwesomeCon panel participants plan for the presentation. Nicole, Christopher, Stacy, Lexy and Garret discuss villain-centered movies and what the core coverage should be for the panel. Come see us live at AwesomeCon on Saturday 8/21! https://awesome-con.com/tickets/ Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook group page
AUDIO ONLY: Impact 10 Barrier-Breaking Sports Movies
March 15, 2021 11:30 - 55 minutes - 48.5 MBWatch the video: https://youtu.be/V0fO410Tcco The entire Impact 10 team presents sports movies that feature someone breaking into a sport. Lexy discusses Cool Runnings, Christopher covers Chariots of Fire, Garret tackles Million Dollar Baby, Stacy takes on Bend It Like Beckham, and Nicole talks A League of Their Own. The team discusses why we like sports movies and the Olympics, what it means to break barriers in sports now and in the future, and reconciling an unconventional identity with...
Impact 10 Barrier-Breaking Sports Movies
March 11, 2021 17:00Watch our latest Impact 10 on YouTube. The entire Impact 10 team presents sports movies that feature someone breaking into a sport. Lexy discusses Cool Runnings, Christopher covers Chariots of Fire, Garret tackles Million Dollar Baby, Stacy takes on Bend It Like Beckham, and Nicole talks A League of Their Own. The team discusses why we like sports movies and the Olympics, what it means to break barriers in sports now and in the future, and reconciling an unconventional identity with being ...
AUDIO ONLY: Impact 10 Movies That Gave Us Hope
January 25, 2021 14:24 - 44 minutes - 40.2 MBImpact 10 episode featuring Nicole, Christopher, and Garret discussing movies that gave us hope. Nicole covers Stand and Deliver and the hope that potential is never truly lost. Christopher covers Slumdog Millionaire and the hope that personal struggle will lead to positive outcomes. Garret covers Erin Brockovich and the hope that corporations can be held accountable. The discussion covers how perseverance, community, and defying expectations lead to change. Garret recommends The Shawshank...
Sound of Metal and Being Deaf
December 11, 2020 20:47 - 47 minutes - 44.1 MBGarret and Nicole discuss Sound of Metal, how the beautiful cinematography balanced strong themes, how well the movie captures addiction, and how much the movie showcases deaf individuals in their normal lives. We get into some information about cochlear implants and the controversy among deaf people. Read how Riz Ahmed describes his experience learning about Deaf culture. Garret recommends learning how to spell your name in ASL. Nicole recommends Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend...
Impact 10: Indigenous Cinema I AUDIO ONLY
November 27, 2020 17:38 - 57 minutes - 47.5 MBImpact 10 with Stacy, Nicole, Christopher, and Lexy discusses indigenous cinema. Stacy covers westerns and The Searchers, Nicole gives a short retrospective on American Indian cinema and Smoke Signals, Christopher talks Maori culture and Whale Rider, and Lexy discusses Disney and Moana. We are joined by documentary filmmaker Suree Towfighnia in the discussion. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook group page Suree's recommended links Website: http://www.sureetowfighnia.com/ St...
Impact 10: Not Your Typical Fear AUDIO ONLY
October 26, 2020 11:30 - 50 minutes - 47.6 MBAUDIO ONLY VERSION. See our YouTube Channel for the video. Impact 10 with Nicole, Stacy, Garret, Christopher, and Lexy covers movies that taught us to be afraid. We highlight a selection of our own then discuss the role of fear in movies. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook group page
Impact 10: Not Your Typical Fear
October 24, 2020 14:02Impact 10 with Nicole, Stacy, Garret, Christopher, and Lexy covers movies that taught us to be afraid. We highlight a selection of our own then discuss the role of fear in movies.
Impact 10: Not Your Typical Fear
October 24, 2020 14:02Impact 10 with Nicole, Stacy, Garret, Christopher, and Lexy covers movies that taught us to be afraid. We highlight a selection of our own then discuss the role of fear in movies.
Impact 10: Queer Cinema I AUDIO ONLY
June 18, 2020 16:00 - 44 minutes - 34.6 MBAUDIO ONLY VERSION Watch the video: https://youtu.be/Bl1nqRmFpAw This Impact 10 episode features Stacy, Lexy, Nicole and Garret discussing Queer Cinema. Stacy tackles award winners, Lexy talks activism and politics, Nicole covers AIDS and Garret discusses culture. We wade into how queer cinema and queer stories have changed over time. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook group page
Introducing Impact 10
June 11, 2020 11:30 - 1 minute - 1.98 MBIntroducing Impact 10, a video series from Movies that Matter highlighting the movies that helped change the world. Website Store YouTube Twitter Facebook group page
My Favorite Alien
May 02, 2020 21:00 - 17 minutes - 870 MB VideoMovie that Matter presents My Favorite Alien, the video panel created for Awesome Con online. Stacy, Garret, Lexy, and Christopher chooses a favorite movie alien to visit earth and explain the benefits to humanity.