Cows in the field
A movie podcast inspired by a Werner Herzog quote, “We have to articulate ourselves, otherwise we would be cows in the field.” Hosted by Justin Khoo (professor of philosophy at MIT) and Laura Khoo (art historian turned fundraiser).
Episodes
173. The Shawshank Redemption (w/ Emily St. James)
We are joined by many time guest Emily St. James (Yellowjackets) to discuss Frank Darabont's modern Capra film about hope, defiance, cosmic injustice, Stephen King, prison, freedom, and more! Is it crazy to like Forrest Gump more than this film? Look, you probably think that's crazy, but don't let that stop you from tuning in!Preorder Emily's new book Every Time a Bell Rings!Advert
172. Uncut Gems (w/ Andrew Overbye)
We are talking Safdies with Andrew Overbye (The Authorized Novelizations Podcast)! We discuss risking it all to have it all, capitalism, addiction highs and lows, five-way parlays, striving, the Sandman, and much more! In the gem, one can see the universe!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
171. Looper (w/ Tushar Menon)
We sit down with MIT philosopher Tushar Menon to discuss Looper. Does its time travel make sense? What questions does it raise about identity, regret, parenting, and cycles of violence? Would your younger self hate you now? Tune in to find out!Visit cowspod.com for all our episodes and merch and other silly stuff!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
170. The Odyssey (w/ Bilge Ebiri)
We discuss Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey with Bilge Ebiri (New York Magazine / Vulture)! We discuss Nolan's sympathetic Odysseus, a man out of time, burdened by guilt and shame, but also a herald of a new age of science and reason. We consider how Nolan made one of the oldest and grandest stories into a deeply personal one, which provides a lens through which we can revisit his entire fi
169. Billy Elliot (w/ Aaron Meskin)
Put on your dancin' shoes, it's time to discuss Billy Elliot with Aaron Meskin (Philosophy, U. of Georgia)! We discuss dance movies, dancing, how the film melds British working class drama with fantastical, nondiegetic dance numbers, how conformity perpetuates class structures, how the film portrays masculinity and dance, and more! Did you enjoy the episode? Leave us a review on your podca
168. Past Lives (w/ Bar Luzon)
Join us and Bar Luzon (Philosophy, MIT) to discuss Celine Song's film PAST LIVES. We talk about immigration, love, irresistible freely chosen love, imagination and narrative in self understanding, counterfactual thinking, and never going home... Check out all our episodes at cowspod.com and buy a cow-branded shirt at shop.cowspod.com!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
167. Blade Runner (w/ Zed Adams)
The Cows journey to the future, Los Angeles 2019, to run blades with Zed Adams (Philosophy, The New School for Social Research). We discuss eyes, simulation, Hegel, Cavell, Heidegger, rain, tears, pajamas, and who among us is a replicant. Visit cowspod.com for the full schedule and merch!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
166. 2001: A Space Odyssey (w/ Matthias Michel)
Journey with us and Matthias Michel (Philosophy, MIT) beyond the infinite! We discuss humanity's place in the universe, questions vs. mysteries, technology, space food, space toilets, transcendence, isolation, space, HAL9000, monoliths, chess... and what makes this movie so special. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
165. Ex Machina (w/ Aaron West)
We take a trip down A24 lane to discuss our first AI movie of the miniseries, Alex Garland's EX MACHINA, with Aaron West (of Cinejourneys.com and The A24 New Wave). Auteurs, tech bros, trophy robot wives/slaves, creations leaving the nest, and more! Also, Justin cut out the bit where he ranted about the film's half-assed invocation of Wittgenstein and Frank Jackson, so don't worry: we
164. The Long Goodbye (w/ Tim Smartt)
We are joined by Tim Smartt (Philosophy, University of Notre Dame at Sydney) to discuss Altman, Coury brand cat food, loneliness, transitions, misplaced loyalties, noir... and more! If a friend asks you to drive him to Mexico at 3am, what should you do?!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
163. Enemy (w/ Robbie Kubala)
Robbie Kubala (Philosophy, UT-Austin) joins to discuss ENEMY! We discuss the fear of entrapment, performativity, spider femininity, 2 v 1, the difficulties of making Associate Professor... and more!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
162. The Grey (w/ Dave Baker)
We are joined by Dave Baker (Philosophy, U. Michigan) to talk about THE GREY (2012), which is definitely NOT Taken With Wolves! We discuss accepting death, grief, finding meaning in life, theistic and non-theistic readings, dudes bonding over survival scenarios, wolves, Liam Neeson, and more wolves!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
161. The Blobscars!
It's time to celebrate the films of 2025! No film can win in more than one of the following categories:+ Best Supporting Character+ Movie Most Likely to Grow on Me+ Hidden Gem+ Best Music+ Best Line / Speech+ Best Antagonist+ Best Protagonist+ Best Story+ Best PictureAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
160. Marty Supreme (w/ Sean Burns)
Pick up your paddles, it's time to PONG! Marty Supreme is a 2025 movie directed by Josh Safdie starring Timothy Chalamet about an upstart New York table tennis savant who'll do anything to succeed at the sport and who just wants someone to treat him as seriously as he takes himself. We're joined by Sean Burns (WBUR, Spliced Personality) to explore the movie's manic energy. Adverti
159. One Battle After Another (w/ Roxana Hadadi)
Roxana Hadadi (Vulture / New York Magazine) joins us to discuss Paul Thomas Anderson's BP lock(?) and everything surrounding the film: its structure, violent / non-violent resistance, broader themes in PTA's films... and much more! Is it time to call in a Greyhawk-10? Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
158. Tenet (REPLAY)
Five years out, and it's time to look back on TENET with a replay of our episode from 2021. In it, we talk about parenthood, emotions, time inversion, free will, buddies, why this can't be done in any other medium, and also why the movie kicks butt! If you haven't given Tenet a second shot, now's the time!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
157. Body Heat (w/ Alex Kugelman)
Players, chimes, noir conventions, screenwriting tips, running hot, tacit communication, and horny lawyers can only mean one thing -- we're discussing BODY HEAT! Joining us is Alex Kugelman, writer/director of the new hit film DON'T TRIP (streaming now on Tubi). Can you handle the heat??!?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
156. When Harry Met Sally
To celebrate the life and work of Rob Reiner, we wanted to cover our favorite of his films, which also happens to be a great NEW YEAR'S film! So join us to discuss the mysteries of love, and disagree about how to interpret the interstitial older couple interviews. Here's to 2026!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
155. The Santa Clause (w/ Emily St. James)
Oh no Scott Calvin (maybe) killed Santa Claus and now through the power of legally binding contracts he has to become the Big Man himself! Will the power of belief triumph over police and psychiatry? Who will be crowned champion of the elves-only cocoa-making competition? Who are those puppets hanging out in Santa's room? All this and more!!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
154. Amelie (w/ Brianna Ashby)
Join us and Brianna Ashby (Bright Wall / Dark Room) to discuss 2001's AMELIE! We discuss loneliness, color theory, mediated interactions, breaking through stasis, and whether this is a post-COVID movie made before COVID! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
153. Grave of the Fireflies (w/ Sam Liao)
We are joined by Sam Liao (Philosophy, University of Puget Sound) to discuss our first animated film on the show: Isao Takahata's Grave of the Fireflies! We discuss childhood, innocence, war, societal collapse, and much more! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
152. Parasite (w/ Rachel Fraser)
We sit down with Rachel Fraser (MIT, Philosophy) to discuss Bong Joon Ho's Academy Award winning movie PARASITE! What do Freud, Jane Eyre, and Marx have to do with a movie about three families in South Korea? Psychoanalysis, transgression, class consciousness, ideology, ghosts, Hitchcock, and lots more!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
151. Rec (w/ Pete Turner)
Continuing spooky season, we sit down with Pete Turner (Oxford Brookes University) to discuss found footage horror and the now-classic entry into the genre, REC! We discuss why this isn't "found footage"(!) although it is diegetic camera horror, and how the film uses the limited perspective to shape our identification with its characters. Don't go in the attic!!Advertising Inquirie
150. Red Rooms (w/ Emily St. James)
Join us and Emily St. James to surf the dark web and hopefully not stumble upon any RED ROOMS. We discuss image management in the era of hyper-connectivity, Arthurian legends, Tennyson poems and 19th Century Chinese pirates, and of course, serial killers. Is this a comfort watch or a perfect horror for a brisk fall evening or BOTH?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
149. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (w/ Max Evry)
We are joined by Max Evry (author of A Masterpiece in Disarray: David Lynch's Dune) to discuss another sci-fi epic of the same generation, this one starring Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock! Exploration, practical effects, V'GER!, mystery, AI, leaping beyond logic!! Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), check it out!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
148. Flatliners (w/ Andrew Overbye and Hannah Blechman)
We're joined by Andrew Overbye and Hannah Blechman from the Authorized Novelizations Podcast to explore near-death experiences, spirituality, brat packs, and more during our discussion of Joel Schumacher's 1990 film FLATLINERS! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
147. Warfare (w/ Jim Penola)
Alex Garland's second film in two years traces the true story of co-director Ray Mendoza's experiences in Iraq. We discuss the film with Jim Penola (An Invitation Productions), considering what drove Garland to the project, heroic sacrifice, decontextualizing violence, and the film's commitment to realism.Find us at www.cowspod.com! New shirts and hats at shop.cowspod.com!Advertising I
146. In the Mouth of Madness (w/ Carly Severn)
We do, in fact, read Sutter Cane! Carly Severn (KQED San Francisco) returns to explore the world of mass market paperbacks that portend the return of the Old Ones and the end of humanity in John Carpenter's homage to Lovecraft. Is it Mommy's Day? Sadly, yes, it is. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
145. Re-Animator (w/ Scout Tafoya)
Life, death, and rebirth are on the exam table as we pull up the chart on Stuart Gordon's RE-ANIMATOR (1985). Scout Tafoya (Ignite Films) returns to explore the film, its impact and legacy, men's desire to procreate without women, practical effects, consent, horror, and of course, H.P. Lovecraft!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
144. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (w/ Abe Mathew)
The spy life. Espionage. Trust. Betrayal. Boring office parties. It's the anti-James-Bond. Abe Mathew (Philosophy, Notre Dame) joins us to discuss Le Carre and the 2011 film adaptation of his most famous novel. Trust no one! Cowspod.com!Buy a T-Shirt at our NEW merch site!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
143. Heat (w/ Zed Adams)
Come on over to our dead-tech, postmodernistic, bullsh*t, house and watch HEAT with us and Zed Adams (Philosophy, The New School)! Time, light, passing, entrapment, stylized realism, stoicism, individualism, institutionalism, and why people be thieving. Cowspod.com!Buy a T-Shirt at our NEW merch site!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
142. Enough Said (w/ Jason Bailey)
We are joined by Jason Bailey, author of Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend, to discuss one of his final films, ENOUGH SAID. We talk about midlife romances, self-destructive tendencies, shaggy stories, and a lot about Mr. Gandolfini's honest and vulnerable performance. Check it out!Buy Jason's book!Follow us on Blue Sky! Buy a cows shirt on Threadless! Advertising Inquiries: h
141. Cobra (w/ Philip Gawthorne)
We sit down with Phil Gawthorne (Die Hard on a Blank) to discuss our second Stallone flick, Cobra. We discuss how the film's absurdities make it endearing, the catharsis of comeuppance, aesthetic vibes, robot fashion, metanarrative love. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!Find us on Blue Sky!New Cows merch! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
140. Talk to Her (w/ Jim Miller)
We sit down with Jim Miller (The New School) to discuss Pedro Almodovar's challenging film TALK TO HER. We consider the juxtaposition of beauty and horror, the duality of subjects and objects, the blurry lines around the moral, ballet, and friendship. Check out Jim's book on Almodovar!Reach out to us on BlueSky and the web!Email us at cowspod@gmail.com!Buy a Cows shirt or bag at Threadless
139. Whiplash (w/ Brad Skow)
We are joined by Brad Skow (Philosophy, MIT) to discuss Damien Chazelle's WHIPLASH! Abuse, striving, greatness, parenting, color, the ending(!), and, of course, jazz.Read Brad's substack!Follow us on Blue Sky! Buy a cows shirt on Threadless!
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138. 20th Century Women (w/ Chad Perman)
We sit down with Chad Perman (Bright Wall / Dark Room) to discuss Mike Mills' autobiographical love letter to his mom. We discuss how becoming a parent helps you become closer to your own parents, finding ourselves alienated from our own children, empaths, narratives as a source of therapy, and much more! Follow us on Blue Sky! Buy a cows shirt on Threadless!
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137. Demolition Man (w/ Liam Billingham)
It's our first Sly film, so we sit down with Liam Billingham (Die Hard on a Blank) to discuss future politics, the film's political litmus test, its satire of a conservative's fever dream of liberal tyranny, masculinity, and more!Follow us on Blue Sky! Buy a cows shirt on Threadless!
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136. Risky Business (w/ Jay Elliott)
We talk with Jay Elliott (Philosophy, Bard College) about RISKY BUSINESS! White boys off the lake, Tom Cruise, sexual anxiety, capitalism, authenticity, Hitchcock, and more!Find us on Blue Sky!Buy a cows t-shirt!
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135. Mikey and Nicky (w/ Dan Wack)
We sit down with Dan Wack (Philosophy, Knox College) to discuss Elaine May's Mikey and Nicky! We talk gangsters, friendship, honesty, barriers, hangout films, misogyny, character studies, and much more! Follow us on Blue Sky! Buy a cows shirt on Threadless!
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134. The Blobscars (w/ Jon Gabrus)
Jon Gabrus joins us to award our favorite movies of 2024! Who will take home the coveted Blobscar? Tune in to find out!Follow us on Blue Sky! Buy a cows shirt on Threadless!
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133. Nickel Boys (w/ Bilge Ebiri)
We welcome back Bilge Ebiri (Vulture / New York Magazine) to discuss RaMell Ross's 2024 film, Nickel Boys! We talk about the film's formal stylistic innovations, its focus on interstitial moments, its exploration of different responses to injustice, how it invites us to integrate our own memories and experiences with its narrative, and more!
Find us on the web and on Blue Sky!
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132. Nosferatu - 2024 (w/ Phil Iscove)
We sit down with Phil Iscove (of Podcast Like It's...) to discuss Robert Eggers' Nosferatu! We discuss how the film is Ellen's story, compare it with the many other versions, sexual liberation and sexual angst, scientific progress and the patriarchy, the beauty in decay, and the film's dark sense of humor.
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Happy Gilmore (Reprise) w/ Tim Gilman
Gilmore as populist disruptor, Grandma's tax situation, hockey vs. golf, anger, Chubbs, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and of course Shooter McGavin!
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131. Grinch x3 (w/ Emily St. James)
Merry Christmas to all, including THE GRINCH! We sit down with Emily St. James to discuss all three Grinch movies (How the Grinch Stole Christmas '66 + '00, and The Grinch '18). We inquire about what the Grinch story is all about, whether we really needed a Grinch backstory, what part of speech "Grinch" is, which of the movies is da best, and more!
Pre-order Emily's book!
130. Home Alone (w/ Dan Harris)
Join us and Dan Harris (Philosophy, CUNY) to discuss HOME ALONE! We consider the film's permission structure for excusing parental negligence, humoring breaking and entering, the film's ideological implications about the nuclear family, and what Kevin really thinks he did to his parents. Christmastime begins with the COWS now!
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129. Gaslight (w/ Joseph McBride)
We sit down with film historian Joseph McBride to discuss George Cukor's 1944 film, Gaslight. We discuss Cukor's reputation among the great studio directors, his skill working with actors, the social and political dimensions of the film, including what makes diagnosing and resisting gaslighting so challenging.
After you listen, you should read Joseph's book on Cukor!
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128. Drive (w/ Roxana Hadadi)
Cars, men, masculinity, westerns, scorpions, frogs, wanderers, conservative values, violence, very hot people, and more... it's Nicholas Winding Refn's DRIVE with Roxana Hadadi!
Follow us on Twitter and Bluesky and Instagram!
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127. Song to Song (w/ Matt Strohl)
Join us and Matt Strohl (Philosophy, Montana) to live from Song to Song and discuss Terence Malick, genuine freedom, the challenges of dealing with aesthetic dismissal, the value of "difficult" art, family, situated abstractionism, art and commerce, temptation, regret, second chances, and much more!
Buy Matt's new book, Hard to Watch!
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126. The Fly (w/ Becca Rothfeld)
We get crazy with the flesh with Becca Rothfeld (The Washington Post) discussing David Cronenberg's 1986 film THE FLY. We discuss erotic transformation, de-evolution, gothic horror, mind/body interactions, Veronica's many excellent fits, inside-out baboons, and much more!
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125. Death Becomes Her (w/ Sean O'Connell)
Death becomes HER?! What does this title even mean? We get into that and more with Sean O'Connell (Managing Editor for @CinemaBlend and co-host of @ReelBlend). What is this film's ideological stance on the pursuit of beauty? We dig into that. What makes this film a queer masterpiece? Where does it fit into Bruce Willis's career? Who wore it (death) better -- Goldie or Meryl? 💀
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124. I Saw the TV Glow (w/ Emily St. James)
We are joined by Emily St. James to discuss Jane Schoenbrun's excellent sophomore outing. We discuss transformative experiences, leaps of faith, egg cinema, kissing on the astral plane, nostalgia and the specialness of inaccessibility, and (if that's not enough) why we do this podcast at all! It's a very special episode, and we want to hear what you thought about the film! Email us at
123. Alien Romulus (w/ Scout Tafoya)
In space, no one can hear you deepfake a dead actor into your movie! We're joined by Scout Tafoya to talk Alien: Romulus. We discuss the film's thematic resonances with the Alien franchise, immigration, the fear of undifferentiation, psychoanalytic readings of the alien, human/android relationships, orphans in space, and go on many long rants about the state of movies and artificial intell
122. Altered States ( w/ Hit Factory Pod)
We are joined by Aaron Casias and Carly Gomes of Hit Factory to discuss William Hurt's first film, Ken Russell's wild and delirious Altered States! We discuss solipsism, God, losing faith, hallucinogens, academia, and why regressing into an ape form might be many conservatives ultimate fantasy.
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121. Thelma and Louise (w/ Katey Rich)
We sit down with Katey Rich (The Ankler) to discuss Ridley Scott's macho film about two women's goodbye middle finger to the patriarchy. We discuss the film's radical rejection of stereotypical gender norms, the female gaze, women being friends, why Christopher McDonald is the funniest person ever, and whether Brad Pitt robs convenience stores shirtless or clothed. Come drive off a cli
120. The Bling Ring
Crimewave summer continues with Sofia Coppola's film about celebrity thieves! We discuss the movie in the context of Coppola's filmography, her artistic motivations and the creative aspirations of the criminals the movie is about, criminal deniability, and, of course, Leslie Mann! It's all fun and games until someone gets a reality tv show.
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119. Scarface (w/ Glenn Kenny)
DePalma, Stone, Pacino, Montana. We are joined by Glenn Kenny (author of The World is Yours: The Story of Scarface) to discuss excess, capitalism, happiness, tigers, sunken bathtubs, cocaine economics, and also the movie Scarface! Is it "Scar-face" or "Scarf-ace"? Who knows! Join us!
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118. Public Enemies (w/ Liam Billingham and Phil Gawthorne)
The guys from Die Hard on a Blank are here to kick off CRIMEWAVE SUMMER and talk all things John Dillinger with us! Crime doesn't pay, but it sure is sexy, ain't it? We unpack several themes of the film: encroaching modernity, the birth of modern celebrity, looking to the past through the lens of the present. Also, we explore the magical look of the movie, due in large part to its unique u
117. Bull Durham (w/ Noah Gittell)
Let us all worship at the Church of Baseball! We are joined to talk Bull Durham by Noah Gittell, author of the recent book Baseball: The Movie. We discuss the film's love of the game, its exploration of life after retirement, parenthood, expiration dating, learning how to breathe out of our eyelids, Annie Savoy's timeless style, and Laura's newfound crush, Kevin Costner.
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116. Hot Tub Time Machine (w/ Mitchell Beaupre)
Let's get it started, in the TUB! We sit down with Mitchell Beaupre (Letterbox'd) to discuss male friendship, regrets, the allure of youth, reliving our best and worst days, the comic genius of Crispin Glover, and what happened in Cincinnati!
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115. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (w/ Edward Lewis)
What's a moody anti-Western got to do with mythmaking, outlaws, celebrity, bold robbers, parasocial relationships, betrayal, guilt, capitalism, Roger Deakins, Brad Pitt, and Casey Affleck? A lot, it turns out! Join us and Edward Lewis to explore the contours of Andrew Dominik's retelling of the end of Jesse James' life.
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114. Sympathy for the Devil (w/ Yuval Adler and Matt Strohl)
Nicolas Cage has been on a run of making several movies a year for decades now, and Sympathy for the Devil is one of his latest experiments, a pulpy chamber piece road trip mystery suspense film co-starring Joel Kinnaman. We sit down with the film's director Yuval Adler (who also happened to get his PhD in philosophy from Columbia in the 90s!) and welcome back Matt Strohl (Philosophy, U. Monta
113. Dogville (w/ Agnes Callard)
Today we explore the dark recesses of the human soul with Agnes Callard (Chicago). We discuss von Trier's minimalist staging, the movie's parable, the duality of human nature, the lies we tell ourselves and others, the film's political angle, and the role of anger in response to true evil.
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112. Red Dawn (w/ Nat Hansen)
John Milius's 1984 film Red Dawn has a reputation as being a jingoistic conservative fever dream, but we talk with Nat Hansen, who argues that its political outlook is more complex and more interesting. Along the way, we also discuss the film's portrayal of masculinity, the toll of war, the film's many references, from The Battle of Algiers to Alexander Nevsky.
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111. Dune Part Two (w/ John DeVore)
We go BACK to Arrakis, desert planet, homeworld of the spice and the Fremen and keeper of Shai Hulud. We're joined again for the journey by major spice-head John DeVore to discuss Villeneuve's two films in relation to Lynch's 1984 version and Frank Herbert's book. Along the way, we consider the worm Uber, the possibility of bad trips with the Water of Life, the lack of St. Alia of
110. The 2024 Blobscars! (w/Sean Burns)
Join us and critic Sean Burns to give out silly meaningless awards to our favorite films of 2023! Who will take home the top prize? Who will win best lisp? Tune in to find out!
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109. The Iron Claw (w/ Fran Hoepfner)
We are joined by Fran Hoepfner (BW/DR, Fran Magazine) to experience the triumph and tragedy of the Von Erich family. We discuss wrestling (duh), Zac, brothers, fathers, bodies, cults, the American political circus, all while trying to figure out our wrestling names and signature moves.
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108. Anatomy of a Fall
Take the plunge with us and Veronica Fitzpatrick (BW/DR, Brown University) as we explore the moral complexities of narratives, relationships, and justice. Justice for Sandra? Justice for Samuel? Tune in to find out!
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107. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (w/ Nick Riggle and Matt Strohl)
We're joined by two philosophers of art to discuss how they've helped each other come to a greater appreciation for this quirky but lovable entry into the Fast and Furious franchise. We discuss how art can change depending on the context in which it is embedded, and the ways the franchise could have gone after this film. We also compare notes on the different ways we've come to appreci
106. The Blair Witch Project (Reprise) + 2023 Cows Super Quiz
The cows look back on 2023 with a Cows in the Field super-quiz -- how many questions can you get right?? Then, we reprise our Blair Witch episode, wherein we explore why the Blair Witch Project was the tenth highest grossing movie of 1999, why it took so long for Hollywood to capitalize on found footage horror, the nature of horror itself and why we desire to be horrified, as well as what makes th
105. Fred Claus (w/ Emily St. James)
Join us and Emily St. James to discuss Fred Claus (streaming now on Max)! We marvel at the film's strange and unnecessarily complicated backstory about the cosmology of sainthood, discuss Santa Claus's moral epistemology, elf-yourself levels of CGI, why everyone deserves a second chance, and somehow spend five minutes discussing the phenomenon of "ugly hot".
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104. LA Confidential (w/ Blake Howard)
Time to get HUSH HUSH with Blake Howard (One Heat Minute Productions). Noir, moral compromise, postwar LA, the American Dream, police, the LAPD, Dante FREAKING Spinotti, and MORE!
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103. Joe Vs. The Volcano (w/ Chad Perman)
Joe is going to die. But he has a chance to be a hero, and live like a king. Only, that means he'll have to jump into a volcano. Is Joe's story all of ours? We sit down with Chad Perman (Founder of Bright Wall / Dark Room) to dig into what makes this zany, existential, transcendent, hilarious, slapstick, profound movie so good. Along the way, we discuss the Kantian sublime, Heidegger's
102. 24 Hour Party People (w/ Mattia Acetoso)
"The smaller the audience, the bigger the history." So, at least, said Tony Wilson, co-founder of Factory Records and larger than life character at the center of Michael Winterbottom's 2002 punk pseudo-music-doc, our topic today!
We are joined by Professor of Italian Studies at Boston College to explore the pull of nostalgia, anticipated retrospection, how the film's blend of fac
101. Aliens (w/ Brendan Hodges)
James Cameron's terrifying and overwhelming sequel ALIENS is a rollercoaster that Roger Ebert called "absolutely, painfully and unremittingly intense." We sit down with Brendan Hodges to explore the film's power over us, what all that goo and slime means, the film's anti-bureaucratic "strong individualist" conservatism and second wave feminist ideology, its use of space
100. The Virgin Suicides
It's just us for our one hundredth episode talking Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides! We hit all the good stuff: suburban malaise, fear, control, parenting, childhood, Trip Fontaine's hair, memory, privacy, the joys of human connection, first loves, and Kathleen Turner!
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99. King Arthur (2004) w/ Jon Gabrus
Have you ever wanted to know the TRUE story that inspired King Arthur? Did you know that Arthur was a freedom fighter battling for the independence of Britannia? Wait until you see what armor Guinevere preferred to wear into battle! And don't forget Tristan and his faithful falcon! Join us and Jon Gabrus (High & Mighty, Action Boyz, 101 Places to Party Before You Die) to unpack this forgot
98. Starship Troopers (w/ Liam Billingham)
Liam Billingham (Die Hard on a Blank / OuevreBusters) joins us to discuss Paul Verhoeven's meta-propaganda Brechtian war film Starship Troopers. We discuss the film's odd mixture of big budget VFX with soap opera stars, how it's three movies in one, the nature of meaning in a world devoid of conflict, and art that risks embarrassment. It's a squishy, gooey, fun time, so jump on thi
97. Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace (w/ Matt Teichman)
The Phantom Menace has weathered the highs and (mostly) lows of fan appraisal. Once derided, then reclaimed, where does it stand in 2023? We issue the definitive assessment: it is good (kind of). Matt Teichman (Elucidations Podcast) brings his colleague Jar Jar Binks along for the ride, as we discuss pod racing, queen wardrobes, lightsaber battles, Jedi Stoicism, ineffectual bureaucracy, and the a
96. Roma (w/ Agustín Rayo)
We sit down with my colleague Agustín Rayo (Professor of Philosophy, Dean of SHASS at MIT, and winner of the big number duel) to discuss Alfonso Cuarón's autobiographical film, Roma. We discuss memory, dreams, guilt, class, background, lenses, digital formats, and, of course, Mexico City.
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95. Oppenheimer (w/ Bilge Ebiri)
Join us and Bilge Ebiri (New York Magazine / Vulture) to discuss Christopher Nolan's deconstructed biopic about the man who birthed a very big bomb. Deconstructed narratives, quantum mechanics, moral dilemmas, subjective inflection, brilliant and sure-handed intercutting... and we set the record straight on whether Nolan's films are funny and whether his female characters are poorly develo
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