Read it and Weep
270 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 217 ratingsRead it and Weep used to be a podcast about books. Now we talk about movies and other pop culture with a confidence level unearned by our actual knowledge.
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Episodes
RiaW 3.38 - The Secret of NIMH (1982)
October 02, 2020 02:05 - 1 hour - 86 MBAnother new guest Dalia Malek brought us the first movie she ever saw, the Don Bluth animated film about smart and sometimes magical rats. Alex doesn't like it and bullying ensues. Recommendations Hunter likes the game Disco Elysium Anthony finds The Great Pottery Throw Down to be soothing Dalia thinks Pen15 is cringe but great Alex needs you to watch live streams of Fat Bear Week Listener Hannah recommends the book "Anxious People" by Fredrik Backman about a Swedish bank robber...
RiaW 3.37 - Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
September 25, 2020 01:31 - 1 hour - 82.2 MBWe've got another first time guest this week, video game designer Neven Mrgan (@mrgan on Twitter) brought us a sweaty New York movie, Dog Day Afternoon. It's a terrific watch with lots to talk about so stop reading and let's get into it! Recommendations Neven's other sweaty New York movies: After Hours and Daddy Longlegs Anthony watched the opposite Al Pacino movie: Heat And Hunter explain the game Among Us to the normies. Next up The Secret of NIMH (1982). Currently streaming on...
RiaW 3.36 - Thelma and Louise (1991)
September 17, 2020 21:47 - 1 hour - 91.2 MBWe welcomed back Irene Tu (@irene_tu on all platforms) to chat about the 1991 action/buddy movie Thelma & Louise. Plus we talked about whether we'd be good friends to run from the law with, what to pack in a bugout bag, and we unveiled the new game "Two Brags and a Lie." Mentioned in this episode The Thing + Pingu = Thingu (h/t Katie) The DC Comics version of The Flintstones really improves on the characters (h/t Brian) David's very unsafe core workout for guitarists. A different ...
RiaW 3.35 - Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer (2020) #ThrowbackEpisode
September 09, 2020 23:24 - 1 hour - 84.4 MBWelcome to a very special episode of Read it and Weep. This week we throw back to our Season 1 days with our original panelists and basically the same Twilight book Stephanie Meyer has written two other times already. This time we're living in Edward's head and let me tell you, it's an unpleasant place to be for 25 hours. This feels like a series that maybe should have remained dead but instead walks the earth.
RiaW 3.34 - Super Troopers (2001)
September 03, 2020 02:50 - 1 hour - 94.8 MBHappy Anniversary, Andy! It's a throwback to last year's Does It Hold Up? season as we check in on the 2001 stoner comedy about highway patrol officers who drink syrup. Is it still funny or is it time to #DefundSuperTroopers? Find out! Plus: in a special bonus segment, we teach you how to hunt caribou.
RiaW 3.33 - Halloween (1978)
August 26, 2020 22:54 - 1 hour - 93.1 MBSurprise! It's the boogie man (much less fun to dance with than it sounds). And he's here to scare the pants off Amber Preston (@prestonparty) who is intrigued by horror, but a bit too scurred to watch it on her own. Mentioned in this episode Amber's got a new album! It's called Sparkly Parts and it's so funny. Buy it now! We talked about the pig horror movie Babe: Pig In The City way back in season 2.
RiaW 3.32 - Carol (2015)
August 20, 2020 04:50 - 1 hour - 80 MBOur friend Laser (@lasermwebber) is back and they brought us a real gem, the 2015 film Carol starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. It's beautiful and uplifting and an important movie to watch while eating chicken in a hot tub. Plus we learn about the meme, "They're lesbians, Harold" and what a motif is.
RiaW 3.31 - Suture (1993)
August 14, 2020 03:33 - 1 hour - 77 MBOur buddy Curtis Cook (@curtis_cook) is back with the show, this time bringing us a movie he likes bringing up at dinner parties. It's a 90s neo-noir where two "identical" half brothers are played by men who don't look anything like each other. Is there more to it than that? Eh, we're not sure.
RiaW 3.30 - Sabrina (1954)
August 07, 2020 04:59 - 1 hour - 83.7 MBSarah Hatheway is back on the show as the Summer of Friends takes a dip into the world of high fashion. We visit the incredibly fun and well dress early Hepburn movie. It's a really good time.
RiaW 3.29 - Clifford (1994)
July 31, 2020 21:47 - 1 hour - 84.3 MBThe Summer of Friends continues with pod favorite Phoebe Bottoms. She takes us on a journey of one of her favorite comedies from her childhood, the strange flop Clifford. It stars Martin Short as an old guy AND a 10-year-old. In a strange turn of events, Hunter and Alex are kinda on the same page!
RiaW 3.28 - Hairspray (1988)
July 24, 2020 05:43 - 1 hour - 84.7 MBGuests are back! Guests are back! We're moving into our Summer of Friends with the amazing Bri Pruett (@bripruett) joining us. She's asked to share the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray that had such an effect on her as a kid. We have great time talking about it. Be sure to check out Bri's new podcast "You Can Do It w/ Bri Pruett" where she gives pep talks and tools for life to her friends. Mentioned on this episode Bri recommends the documentary "Disclosure" on Netflix: https://www.net...
RiaW 3.27 - A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
July 16, 2020 05:32 - 1 hour - 69.6 MBWe're reading a book, what is this, the old days! It is, in the 1968 young adult high-fantasy book that inspired so much of the genre. And it's a lovely way to pass the week. If that's not enough, EZRA'S BACK! Thank you for sponsoring, David and Maggie!
RiaW 3.26 - Class of 1999 (1990)
July 09, 2020 06:08 - 1 hour - 99 MBWhew, another long one. But a good one I think. We talk about 4th of July movies and traditions and then the strange sci-fi B movie about robot teachers and punk rock gangs in Seattle. Plus stories from somebody who worked there! Thanks for sponsoring, Destiny, Eudora, and Guthrie!
RiaW 3.25 - Slightly Condescending Film School: Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
July 02, 2020 06:13 - 1 hour - 97.2 MBAnd now an epic episode of RiaW. We talk about the almost 4-hour movie about a problematic guy in a beautiful desert. Also Alex reads from his nightmare diary for some reason and we invent the "sten-dog-rapher".
RiaW 3.24: Slightly Condescending Film School - The Warriors (1979)
June 25, 2020 05:11 - 1 hour - 75.3 MBIt's a super problematic low budget movie with some really interesting elements. So you know that means, LOTS OF GUILTY FEELINGS. Also, slight trigger warning for discussion of sexual violence.
RiaW 3.23 - Slightly Condescending Film School: Repo Man (1984)
June 18, 2020 04:34 - 83 MBThere's an alien in a Chevy Malibu and the coach of the Mighty Ducks is the only one who can find it.
RiaW 3.22 - Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010)
June 11, 2020 17:25 - 94.4 MBSome more coffee from Hunter, this time the relaxed-paced Thai film about life, death, and fish sex. Sorry it's so long. Mentioned in this episode Check out our brand new Meatreon Campaign! Listen to us discuss Spirited Away
RiaW 3.21 - Slightly Condescending Film School - Brazil (1985)
June 04, 2020 04:49 - 75.6 MBWe watched two different versions of the film to discuss the power of editing. The 2.25 hour director's cut and the 90 minute "Love Conquers All Cut." Alex in his infinite trollness, liked the shorter one. Mentioned in this episode - If you want to watch Terry Gilliam having a bad time, Anthony Reccomends Lost in Lamancha. - Here's Christopher Lee's metal band covering "My Way" h/t Katie
RiaW 3.20 - Slightly Condescending Film School: Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
May 28, 2020 19:11 - 78.2 MBIn which I find the movie boring and then my friends yell at me about it.
RiaW 3.19 - Slightly Condescending Film School - In The Mood For Love (2000)
May 21, 2020 03:22 - 81.3 MBColor theory explained. Death bed confessions. Hunter doesn’t like partner swapping.
RiaW 3.18 - Slightly Condescending Film School: Barry Lyndon (1975)
May 14, 2020 03:41 - 73.4 MBA first-time attempt at analysis. Many duels are fought. Lenses are discussed. Alex shows the boys his Wikihole.
RiaW 3.17 - Slightly Condescending Film School: Singin' In The Rain (1952)
May 06, 2020 20:13 - 80.9 MBIn 1952, MGM sat down and thought, man. We own a lot of old songs. I wonder if we could get paid for those same songs again. And they did, by shoehorning them into a new musical starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. Despite that being a terrible idea, the movie is really great, so we talked about that.
RiaW 3.16 - Slightly Condescending Midterms
April 29, 2020 20:28 - 76.5 MBIt's an arbitrary midpoint in the Slightly Condescending Film School season, so we decided to test ourselves on what we've learned so far. The professors each pose their questions, and then we take an ACTUAL MIDTERM from a class we aren't enrolled in. Find out how we did!
RiaW 3.bonus - Final Fantasy VII Remake
April 28, 2020 20:39 - 78.1 MBAnthony hosts a special bonus that could be called Slightly Condescending Video Game School. Him and Hunter dive deep into the new remake of the game Final Fantasy VII. Alex sometimes seems like he's paying attention.
RiaW 3.15 - Slightly Condescending Film School - Meshes of the Afternoon (1943)
April 22, 2020 20:44 - 81.3 MBWe sit down to discuss the very short but very strong coffee that is Maya Dern's 1940s experimental short film. Has Alex learned enough to say something interesting about it? Almost certainly not!
RiaW 3.14 - Slightly Condescending Film School: Terminator 2 (1991)
April 15, 2020 20:26 - 75.5 MBOkay I think we finally found one that has nothing to do with the current situation. We watched the apocalyptic--ah shit now I see it. Ignoring that, it's a movie about robots fighting but it's good, and excuse for the professors to talk about James Cameron.
RiaW 3.13 - Alien (1979)
April 08, 2020 21:09 - 79.7 MBIt's a scary time, sure. But you know what's scarier? A wet skull alien bursting out of your chest. So there's that. Mentioned in the episode We previously watched Alien: Resurrection. We recommend Under Pressure - A documentary about The Abyss (which we also watched) Hunter recommends Patrick Willems's Youtube video about James Cameron Anthony recommends Jodorowsky's Dune
RiaW 3.12 - Slightly Condescending Film School: Rear Window (1954)
April 01, 2020 17:26 - 73 MBIn another accidentally very related issue, today we watched the Alfred Hitchcock classic Rear Window. Just like Jimmy Stewart, we're all stuck at home watching true crime stuff, so it really is perfect. Also given Hitchcock's past, we introduce a new segment, "Um... Is This Okay?"
RiaW 3.11 – Slightly Condescending Film School: The Seventh Seal (1957)
March 27, 2020 20:34 - 71.6 MBCompletely unrelated to any topical events, we sat down to watch an existential plague movie about how we all die eventually and it’s meaningless. Okay, it’s definitely not that bleak. It’s really a movie about a love of board games. Also it’s an important work of film. Enjoy!
RiaW 3.10 - Get Well Soon, Tom Hanks
March 18, 2020 22:16 - 73.2 MBBecause of the virus, school is closed for a week. So we rolled in a TV cart and sent our best thoughts to Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson! We talked about Thomas The Hank engine's career, mostly focusing on A League of Their Own (1992) which features a very rare site, Tom Hanks being hard to like. We hope they recover quickly and that Chet Hanks gets his life together.
RiaW 3.09 - Slightly Condescending Film School: 7 Samurai (1954)
March 12, 2020 01:54 - 76 MBI didn't expect, when I started this class, for so much of film knowledge to be about samurai. But apparently it's really important. Find out why when class convenes to discuss the epic (man it's so long) samurai film from the 50s.
RiaW 3.08 - Slightly Condescending Film School: Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse (2018)
March 04, 2020 22:41 - 73.6 MBI don't really get comic book movies. So in this special Office Hours episode, I sat down with Professor Lopez to discuss why these films have taken over and what makes them good. We also had an interesting talk about studios and how the same one that made The Emoji Movie made this.
RiaW 3.07 - Slightly Condescending Film School: Knives Out (2019)
February 26, 2020 05:28 - 66.6 MBThis week on Slightly Condescending Film School, Alex brought a movie that he really enjoyed, and was a huge box office hit, but also doesn't fit the patterns of box office hits. It's not a sequel, it's not an adaptation, and nobody in it has magical powers. So how could something so good also be popular? We talk more about writer/director Rian Johnson and in our new segment Employee of the Month we talk (a little bit at least) about the role of the production designer. Plus we recommend y...
RiaW 3.06 - Slightly Condescending Film School: Quentin Tarantino
February 20, 2020 17:08 - 74.8 MBWell that didn't go how I'd expected. I asked the professors and fan favorite Amanda Linebaugh (@amandable) to talk to me about the career of Quentin Tarantino and while I didn't learn much about the craft of film-making, I did get a lot to think about regarding him as a person. Also, we continue our season-long discussion of pizza boxes.
RiaW 3.05 - Slightly Condescending Film School - Citizen Kane (1949)
February 13, 2020 23:49 - 81.8 MBAlex and Hunter meet alone for a special Office Hours edition of Slightly Condescending Film School. They talk about Citizen Kane, yes, but they talk a lot more about pizza boxes, the role of directors, and listener emails. It's a really good episode.
RiaW 3.04 - Slightly Condescending Film School - The 2020 Oscars
February 05, 2020 23:59 - 91.4 MBWe're back in session talking about all 9 movies up for the Best Picture award at the 92 Oscars. Who will win? Who deserves to win? Why is Joker nominated at all? We've got the hottest takes of any classroom. The nominees 1917 Ford V Ferrari The Irishman Jojo Rabbit Joker Little Women Marriage Story Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Parasite Guest: @PhoebeBottoms
RiaW 3.03 - Slightly Condescending Film School: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)
January 29, 2020 02:36 - 57.1 MBCondescending Class is back in session as the boys learn about Ang Lee, Wuxia epics, and whether or not it's physically possible to die. Join us next week to talk about whether or not the Oscars matter (they don't.) Hunter recommends the "Wuxia Ashes of Time" Ezra suggest "Shaolin Soccer" and "Kung Fu Hustle"
RiaW 3.02 - Slightly Condescending Film School: Band of Outsiders (1964)
January 22, 2020 21:09 - 60.2 MBSlightly Condescending Film School returns with a brief lesson on the French New Wave. It's confusing enough that we have to constantly ask, is this the style or just a French thing?
RiaW 3.01 - Slightly Condescending Film School: Mulholland Drive (2001)
January 16, 2020 21:53 - 74.7 MBWe're back! Kicking off a brand new season of Read it and Weep. We're calling the 3rd season "Back To School". Trying to understand pop culture has always been a mission of the show but now we're making it more explicit. And our first theme of Back To School is learning a bit more about film. I know, it's overdue. For the next couple of months, professor Anthony Lopez and associate professor Hunter Donaldson are going to give Alex the education he really already should have had. Featurin...
RiaW 2.45 - Lethal Weapon (1987) #Alexit
December 24, 2019 23:36 - 74.3 MBHappy Holidays, everybody. We're wrapping up #Alexit and season 2 of the show with an action movie that's also loosely set at Christmas, just like Diehard. But is it as good as Diehard? Find out! And we'll see you in the new year for Season 3: RiaW Back To School Mentioned in this episode Anthony highly recommends the documentary 20 Feet From Stardom on Netflix Warner Brothers vs Disney+ different styles of apology for old timey racism
RiaW 2.44 - The act of moving #Alexit
December 18, 2019 00:28 - 64.1 MBSorry for the weeks off, but that's because the move I've been talking about for a month actually happened. And it was hard! But now that I'm starting to settle in I talked to Ezra and Anthony about the universally annoying act of moving. Mentioned in this episode Ezra's playlist for changing diapers: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/41Q4RQxFeJeU1Sk58RjBje?si=d9rRBqGHTXi4dR0e7MRMSw
RiaW 2.43 - Beverly Hills Cop (1984) #Alexit
November 28, 2019 00:45 - 53.9 MBWhen I'm in LA, there's a chance I'll feel like a fish out of water. EXACTLY like Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop. I'm going to feel just like him. Avenging a friends murder / doing comedy. Same same. Hopefully I'll also be able to talk my way into secured warehouses and have buddies who are good at shootin'!
RiaW 2.42 - Blade Runner (1982) #Alexit
November 14, 2019 00:24 - 63.8 MBFor the next step of my LA preperation I decided to see what the future of the city might hold. Specifically, the future imagined by Blade Runner in the far off time November 2019. That's right, not only is it a perfect pick for our LA month it's actually set RIGHT NOW. And boy were they 50/50 on predicting the present.
RiaW 2.41 - LA Story (1991) #Alexit
November 06, 2019 21:02 - 57.8 MBBig news! I'm moving to Los Angeles in December. To celebrate / scare myself, I'm going to spend the next little bit watching movies about Los Angeles. And since that wasn't specific enough, I'm only doing movies that specifically have LA in the title. Starting out with the 90s comedy starring a roller skating Steve Martin, an extremely fun Sarah Jessica Parker, and of course, the city of angels.
RiaW 2.40 - Rocketman (1997) #TheRocktober
October 30, 2019 22:00 - 54.9 MBTo close out The Rocktober, we could have watched the Elton John biopick Rocketman. But we dug deeper than that, we went back to the 1997 family comedy about farting on Mars, Rocketman. And just like the movie, we had to call in a sub at the last moment.
RiaW 2.39 - Ballers #TheRocktober
October 23, 2019 23:35 - 56.2 MBIf you want to get some dirty looks, tell everybody you like Ballers. It's clearly aimed at a certain kind of bro, but if you're investigating The Rock the way we are, you have to watch it. And despite the negative hype, it's actually kind of fun. feat Alex, Anthony, and Amanda Leinbaugh (@amandable)
RiaW 2.38 - Smackdown #TheRocktober
October 17, 2019 00:03 - 59.9 MBOne thing we've never actually done for #TheRocktober is watch The Rock wrestling. We watched a documentary about it, but this year we're actually watching a whole episode, specifically the 2019 debut of Friday Night Smackdown on Fox. We have a great array of wrestling experience from much to absolutely none. Featuring - Amber Preston (@PrestonParty) - Jamie Carbone (@ThiccSonic)
RiaW 2.37 - Hobbs & Shaw (2019) #TheRocktober
October 09, 2019 22:30 - 61.2 MBProbably our favorite crazyballs franchise on this show is Fast & Furious. We've watched a bunch of them. And just because Hobbs & Shaw doesn't feature the whole families, it's still nice to spend a day with the cousins. The Rock and Jason Statham are punchy and quippy and care about their families, and while it isn't the best thing we've ever seen, it's not a bad couple of hours. Featuring Alex, Ezra, and special guests Chris Smith (@cwaltersmith) and Tanya Smith (@TheTanyeBest)
RiaW 2.36 - GI Joe Retaliation (2013) #TheRocktober
October 02, 2019 21:53 - 66.4 MBThe most rockerful time of year is upon us again, The Rocktober! And we're shooting it off with a real sad whimper. Look, The Rock mostly appears in low quality movies. But even for him, this one's a stinker.
RiaW 2.35 - Back To School (1986)
September 25, 2019 19:01 - 55.3 MBAutumn has fallen upon us and that means one thing: The Rocktober! Okay, but before that it's time to go back to school. We watched the 80s one-liner fiesta starring Rodney Dangerfield. And no disrespect but it's not that funny. Like a lot of stuff from the 80s it's racist, homophobic, body-negative and of course really really sexist. Featuring: Alex, Anthony, and Phoebe Bottoms (@phoebebottoms)