This week we’re joined by Marie-Claire (@MarieCGould) for our explorational into the pivotal shoujo manga HANA YORI DANGO (BOYS OVER FLOWERS), along with the 2018 Chinese TV adaptation ‘Meteor Garden.’ We talk shop about questionable hairstyles, roast the “Flower 4” on Shan Cai’s behalf, and discuss all the tropes in this definitive enemies-to-lovers coming-of-age tale.
Hide under the covers when you hear the knock—the Babadook has arrived. Continuing our love of women-centered horror, we sat down to watch Jennifer Kent’s 2014 ‘The Babadook,’ and discuss themes of motherhood, grief, and the existential dread of winter in Australia. Bonus content: a frank discussion on childhood fears and the utterly bizarre film ‘Mars Attacks.’
Looking to escape the summer heat? Join us and Chel (@destiniesfic) for a discussion on Naomi Novik’s SPINNING SILVER: a 2018 reimagining of the Rumpelstiltskin legend.
Highlights of today’s episode include a discussion on Novik’s reclamation of the folktale via a Jewish perspective. Bonus content includes perpetual stanning of not one but two monster husbands, and Shi is called out for not shipping Chernobog. Popsicle jokes are made.
Long ago in the Dark Ages of Web 1.0, internet lore was shared not through wikis and YouTube videos, but through the anonymity of forum boards, comment threads and instant messenger. It was from this digital, primordial stew that a new phenomenon was born: “creepypasta,” or internet ghost stories.
On this week’s episode, we dive deep into Ted’s Caving Page, reminisce about Jeff the Killer, and run head-first into Slenderman’s arms. Bonus content: an explanation on how much makeup is too much makeup when acting out your clown kink.
Beautiful decay awaits us all in 2018’s sci-fi masterpiece ‘Annihilation,’ based upon Jeff VanderMeer’s 2014 book series ‘The Southern Reach Trilogy.’ We cover the first book of the series, along with the film in tandem with the lens of horror. Expect long divergences into biological evolution, well-written female protagonists, and personal foibles.
As the Crawler says, “The shadows of the abyss are like the petals of a monstrous flower that shall blossom within the skull and expand the mind beyond what any man can bear…”
It’s full-on ugly crying for 2016’s ‘Your Name’ (Kimi No Na Wa) as we enjoy the most romantic and inspiring sci-fi fantasy anime to come out in recent years. We wax poetic on the red string of fate, Japanese vending machines, and youthful indiscretions—all while Shi buys some pants.
WARNING: Heavy salt on the ‘Game of Thrones’ finale.
Saddle your horses, folks: this week we adventure into a land of Ren Faire anachronism and murder birds who love Rutger Hauer just as much as we do. We talk 70s psych rock, animal actors, folk fantasy and Isabeau’s agency before answering the most difficult question of them all: would you choose sci-fi dream Roy Batty or dark knight Etienne Navarre?
Between Misselthwaite Manor and Miss Minchin’s Seminary, we find ourselves talking about two films based on Victorian-era stories by author Frances Hodgson Burnett: ‘The Secret Garden’ & ‘Little Princess’. A light dash of salt flavors our discussion on heroines and their socialization, 90s woke stereotypes, colonial narratives, gothic romance, and of course, our thirst for John Lynch.
Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s off to salt we go. In this week’s episode, we mine generous quantities of our favorite mineral while breaking down patriarchal beauty norms, domestic labor, and the psychology behind True Love’s First Kiss. Join us on this deep dive into the classic film Snow White, along with two more recent adaptations of the Brothers Grimm tale: Snow White and the Huntsman and Mirror Mirror.
Continuing our trend of talking about video game characters we’re hornt for, today we walk through the Final Fantasy VII franchise—including 2005’s Advent Children. Tune in for a long-winded discussion about team mom Tifa, hot mess Cloud Strife, and a knock-down, drag-out brawl over Sephiroth’s pirate shirt. Yes, really.
