Getting Reel

Let's try this again

Stepmothers have a terrible reputation. Until 1998 they were almost exclusively evil- ruining the lives of Snow White, Cinderella, and multiple Lindsay Lohans.The best PR imaginable is having America's sweetheart Julia Roberts play one opposite Susan Sarandon (who would go on to play an Evil Stepmom herself in Enchanted). This week we talk all things blended family and the many paths to motherhood.

Join us for a Very Special Episode where we go completely off-script and talk about a movie industry phenomenon- recasting. Specifically for boys who behave badly. Inspired by the controversy surrounding Marvel and prestige film darling Jonathan Majors and calls for him to be recast/dropped from current projects, we ask the hard questions: Can we separate the art from the artist? When, if ever,  is recasting appropriate? What are some examples of this decision in a post #MeToo world? If you like hot takes, this episode is for you! 

We know, we know. You haven't even heard of this movie. But it is going to be one of our favorites for a long time and it's our pod, so deal with it! This episode is all about Living- the film but also kind of the act itself. Bill Nighy (not the Science Guy) was nominated for an Oscar for it and it's a remake of a 1950s Japanese drama based on a Tolstoy novella. So yeah, pretty hip. 

We're back! Strap in for a real stream of consciousness take on a film about love, loss, trust, and faith.  What DOESN'T this film have? Dave Bautista as a gentle giant, Ron Weasley as a homophobic horseman of the apocalypse, Jonathan Groff singing in a car! It's the end of the world as we know it, and we're not fine. 

You didn't think we would let film's biggest night go unnoticed, did you? We know, we know- you haven't seen many of the nominees. That's ok! We got you covered. Join us for an overview that will prepare you to gossip about potential winners and losers with all the authority of someone who has seen the movies without having to spend countless hours watching them. You're welcome! 

We've all been there- you get a little wine drunk with your bestie and suddenly you're unpacking complex family dynamics both real and imaginary. Well, we recorded our latest session just for you! Listen to us talk Soul Food the movie, the metaphor, and the menus. This episode has it all- how we actually feel about our siblings, what our parents did wrong, how infidelity holds up to an actual felony! You won't want to miss it.

You didn't think we would do a whole month about romcoms and NOT mention Adam Sandler, did you? So many to choose from,  we went with The Wedding Singer. Did we use this episode as an opportunity to rail against patriarchy and archaic relationship dynamics? Sure. But that's what you came for. 

"If music be the food of love, play on!" Shakespeare and Brown Sugar get it. This week we are talking about the 2002 RomCom classic Brown Sugar. A film that makes us ask the hard questions: Can men and women be friends?  What music speaks to your soul? How much delusion is just right?

Welcome to February! The month of love and Black History and we're gonna start with the latter. About Time is a love story from Richard Curtis (Love Actually, About a Boy, anything with British men stammering) and it is charming, witty, and delightful and a great vehicle for our little pontifications on life, love, and of course, time. 

Hold on to your butts! Basira and Kait discuss the 1993 classic, and one of Basira's favorites, Jurassic Park. It is a wonder Kait hasn't seen it but it's never too late to watch a billionaire learn he overreached. Never gets old! Welcome to Jurassic Park! 

This week we're talking about Kait's favorite film The Lion in Winter. You'll hear Basira's thoughts on watching it for the first time and context on why Kait loves it so much!  

It's a new year but before we start making promises we don't intend to keep, let us review last year in the only language we know: movies. Basira and Kait talk their top three movies of 2022 and how the year measured up in this biz we call show.

The Banshees of Inisherin is a brilliant portrayal of the cost of obsessing over legacy. Or a brilliant portrayal of conflict escalation. Or a brilliant portrayal of how hard it is to break up in a small community where you will  almost assuredly run into your ex on a daily basis. However you interpret it, the film is brilliant and you should listen to us talk about it. 

In a Very Special Episode we will bring on our first guest! A subject matter expert and all around lovely lady, our friend Samantha Lindberg joins us to discuss the historic film franchise: The Twilight Saga. We will talk about what works about the films (the hotness), what doesn't (everything else), and why we just can't quit it. You won't want to miss this one!

Have you ever wondered where the term "gaslight" comes from? Like all good things, it comes from an Angela Lansbury film. Join us as we discuss the 1944 classic Gaslight, the film that launched the latest fad phrase. 

What makes a good adaptation? How much research into murder is too much? We will be discussing the Maybe Murderess of the Marsh, Delia Owen, and the book that spawned Reese Witherspoon's latest passion project.  We recorded this in the middle of July so slightly less relevant than initially planned but that's showbiz, folks!

Join us in our continued Emmy's coverage where we discuss the limited or anthology series categories, AKA long ass movies. 

To close out our Emmys series join us for our final predictions. Who will win the gold and who should? 

The second of our Emmy's series, join us as Kait somehow manages to shoehorn Hitler into the conversation and Basira  pines for uncles. You know, comedy! 

That's right! We watch TV too! We are versatile like that. This is the first episode in our Emmy's  series where we discuss nominated Drama shows. What should have been nominated, what shouldn't have been, and what does it take to get nominated in the cut throat world of entertainment. 

It's important to try new things; so we are attempting to review a film without spoilers. No, no, don't call us heroes.  Consequently, we ended up talking less about the movie and more religious philosophy and the roles of (mostly female) love interests. Tune in anyway! 

Here are some facts about Elvis the man and Elvis the movie. Sometimes they are fun facts and other times they are sobering or disturbing facts. But they are facts and this is content.

To cap off our month of fathers and daughter movies, join us as we discuss the movie Fathers and Daughters. We chose it for the name and it gave us the excuse we needed to talk about being daughters and having fathers. Enjoy!

Could it be? A CURRENT movie that we saw in an actual THEATER? That's right, we're topical. Join us as we discuss Baz Luhrmann's Elvis biopic starring Austin Butler and his dance moves. 

Welcome to episode two where we discuss Daddy Knight's favorite movie, The Shawshank Redemption. What did this movie get right and what did it get wrong?  Has that The always been there? Can we fix prisons in a half hour podcast episode? Tune it to find out! 

Getting Reel is another podcast from Millennial best friends talking about something with no real authority other than their winning personalities and infectious charm. This one is about movies. Join Basira Knight and Kait Armstrong as we discuss some of our favorite films and what they mean to us and, dare we say, the world at large. 

In honor of Father's Day, we are talking about our dads' favorite movies. Up first is Papa Armstrong's choice CASABLANCA (1942). Join us for our first episode as we discuss this classic and quotable movie and what makes it stand the test of time.