Episode 14—Harlan County USA: I Do Not Dream of Strikes
Continuing our I Do Not Dream of Labor series with Jessee’s selection, we dive into the 1976 Best Documentary Oscar winner, Harlan County, U.S.A. (dir. Barbara Kopple).
The sisters learn about Kentucky coal mine strikes and discuss the documentary’s community-based production, the role of women in front of and behind the camera, and some unforgettable folk music.
Which side on you on?
Episode 13—Office Space: I Do Not Dream of Cubicles
We kick off the I Do Not Dream of Labor series with Annee’s pick: the 1999 comedy classic Office Space (dir. Mike Judge). The sisters discuss this classic comedy’s take on the search for authenticity and fulfillment in the modern American workplace, and try to figure out who is the 2021 equivalent of Michael Bolton. What would you do if you had a million dollars?? 💸
Episode 12—Free Reelin’: Matt Damon Is Cheugy
The sisters reflect on the summer series movies, riff on listeners’ picks for great summer movies—from Dirty Dancing to Dog Day Afternoon—and analyze the Movie of Summer 2021, a.k.a. the one about the beach that makes you old.
Tune in for all this and more as we discuss what else we’ve been watching lately and reveal the theme for our next series!
Episode 11—Y Tu Mamá También: Sad Sexy Summer
Wrapping up the summer series with Annee’s sizzling selection of Alfonso Cuarón’s Y Tu Mamá También (2001), the sisters admire the smoking hot talent in front of and behind the camera 🔥as they dip their toes into Mexican socio-political history 🇲🇽 and bask in the film’s cinematographic and screenwriting glory. ☀️
Episode 10—Jaws: Great White Boy Summer
In the second installment of our summer series, we’re taking a bite out of Jaws (1975). The sisters examine the idea of the “summer blockbuster”, analyze the unexpected artistry of the film’s music, editing, and cinematography, and contemplate the movie as a metaphor for the great American tradition of predatory capitalism. 🇺🇸🦈
Episode 9—The Talented Mr. Ripley: Summer Is A Verb
Turning up the heat for one of Frankee's favorite movies, the jazzy, homoerotic, and murderous The Talented Mr Ripley (1999), the sisters examine the film’s sympathetic anti-hero, review different adaptations from over the years, and rave about the delicious cast on the precipice of stardom.
Episode 8—Free Reelin’: McDreamy, Mark Greene, & Mare
The sisters discuss the weirdness of this year’s Oscars production and chat about a few of the nominees. They respond to listener questions about the first three episodes and banter about John Candy, movies to look forward to in 2021, and listener recommendations. We also preview the next series theme and movie picks.
Episode 7—Babette’s Feast: A Foretaste of Heaven
Jessee sends off our sister series with a Danish fable of food and faith, Babette’s Feast (1987). The sisters learn about the fascinating woman who wrote the story, discuss the historical and theological contexts of culinary community, and explore why it’s a famous favorite of Pope Francis.
Episode 6—Little Women: Louisa May Alcott Fangirls
In revisiting a favorite story from childhood, the sisters discuss how Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's 1868 coming-of-age novel Little Women stands up to previous beloved versions, debate the casting choices, and breakdown her twist on a classic ending. ☂️🙌 📕
Episode 5—A League of Their Own: Hot Big Sister Energy
Kicking off the sister-themed series with the beloved baseball classic, A League of Their Own (1992), the sisters gush about the movie’s star-studded cast, ponder its significance in Tom Hanks’ filmography, and grapple with some of its problems—notably, the lack of diverse representation and Dottie’s infuriating choices.
Episode 4—Free Reelin’: Oscars 2021
The sisters discuss the weirdness of this year’s Oscars production and chat about a few of the nominees. They respond to listener questions about the first three episodes and banter about John Candy, movies to look forward to in 2021, and listener recommendations. We also preview the next series theme and movie picks.
Episode 3—Come and See: Subjectivity, Surrealism, and Storks
Come and See (1985), a harrowing story of one boy’s journey in Nazi-occupied Belarus in 1943, was the best movie Frankee saw last year. This week our resident expert in Modern Eastern European history talks with her sisters about the concept of an “anti-war” movie, film’s ability to bear witness, and the mythology of storks.
Episode 2—Palm Springs: The Dinosaurs are Real
Palm Springs (2020) is a new take on a familiar story: the infinite time loop. While discussing Jessee’s favorite movie of the year, the sisters explore a dinosaur detour, dissect moral belief structures reflected in time-loops, and declare their love for all things Andy Samberg.
Episode 1—Portrait of a Lady on Fire: A Manifesto of the Female Gaze
In our inaugural episode, we discuss Annee’s favorite movie of 2020: Céline Sciamma’s French masterpiece on the transformative power of love, Portrait of a Lady on Fire.