80: The Death of Stalin (2017) "Survivor aka Soviet Russia"
It’s a certain someone’s birthday on the pod! We’re celebrating our Taurus queen Danielle and gifting her the pick of this episode. So naturally, we chose a flick that’s quite literally the opposite of birth—The Death of Stalin (2017). Following the posthumous events of the Soviet dictator, it leans less historical drama and more political satire in a way that proves fact is often stranger than fiction. From a re-staged concert to funeral faux pas, it’s chock full of one ridiculous moment after another, all brought to life by a gaggle of comedic actors who really committed to the bit. But beyond the funny (not funny) of it all is also a terrifying reminder of just how easy it is for power to fall to egotistical maniacs. Join us as we laugh through the cringe while tracking down Stalin’s missing brain and thwarting possible Russian interference.Resourceshttps://slate.com/culture/2018/03/whats-fact-and-whats-fiction-in-the-death-of-stalin.htmlhttps://www.nbcnews.com/think/amp/ncna860366
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1:26:33
79: The Prestige (2006) "The Girlies Are Fighting"
We never planned on picking the perfect April Fools’ Day movie. But when it features one of the biggest twist endings in cinema what can we say? Sometimes these things *~magically~* happen. We’re doing our best to unpack all the trickery and deception in The Prestige (2006). This Christopher Nolan masterpiece didn’t get as much love as some of his other blockbuster hits (although the hundreds of Reddit threads would tell you otherwise). If you’re anything like us, you only heard about it in passing or completely forgot the plot all together. Either way, there’s a ton to discuss on a new episode of Why the Flick? that explores real-life magician rivalries, fan theories about what’s real vs what’s illusion, and the sacrifices artists are willing to make for their obsessions.Resourceshttps://screenrant.com/prestige-movie-ending-twists-explained-2https://theconversation.com/the-prestige-the-real-life-warring-victorian-magicians-who-inspired-the-film-165707 RootCaldlow Reddit Post
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1:39:37
78: Homeward Bound (1993) "And Now I’m Crying Again"
Sometimes you just need a good cry. Like a REALLY good cry. Well listeners get those tissues ready because we’re sobbing our way through the beloved classic Homeward Bound (1993). That’s right, it’s the heartwarming story we all know of Shadow, Chance, and Sassy trekking across wilderness to find the way back to their owners. Whether it brought you pure joy as a kid or leaves you emotionally wrecked as an adult, this movie is truly an incredible journey through all the feels. It’s also packed with an all-star cast of award-winning voices and animal performances that should have earned their own Oscars tbh. In this latest episode, we’re diving into the book that inspired it all, exploring pet telepathy, and breaking down the moments that had us in tears (hint: basically every single one).ResourcesJamie Homs Homeward Bound TikTokWhat's Your Favorite Horror Story TikTokhttps://d23.com/did-you-know-8-incredible-facts-about-homeward-bound-the-incredible-journey/ https://www.rover.com/blog/lost-dogs-found-their-way-home/
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1:32:24
77: The Substance (2024) "Old Naked Woman Representation"
OK so here’s the thing. When we recorded this episode weeks ago, we may have been a ~little~ presumptuous in predicting Demi Moore would win the Oscar for Best Actress. We even had a whole other episode description written just in case. But even though she didn’t take home the golden statue, her performance is nothing short of remarkable which brings us to the first flick of our season 5 lineup: The Substance (2024). This critically-acclaimed body horror film may have shocked theater-goers when it first came out (the poster doesn’t say “absolutely f***ing insane” for nothing). But beyond the gorgeously grotesque visuals, the themes are absolutely theming. From societal pressures on aging to unattainable beauty standards to the violence of self-deprecation, it's a film with a ton of....well substance. So tune in as we crack open Ozempic tie-ins, the art of gastronomy, and that bloody finale.Resourceshttps://www.vogue.com/article/coralie-fargeat-the-substance-interview https://www.asoundeffect.com/the-substance-film-sound/ https://thecurvemagazine.com/2024/12/06/the-substance-a-gruesome-dive-into-beauty-ageism-and-self-perception/https://www.vulture.com/article/the-substance-demi-moore-margaret-qualley-ending.html https://www.npr.org/2024/09/22/nx-s1-4981274/director-coralie-fargeat-on-her-new-horror-movie-the-substancehttps://www.gq.com/story/the-substance-effectshttps://screenrant.com/the-substance-movie-easter-eggs-references/
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1:48:18
76: Season 5—Get to Know Us (Minisode)
Did you miss us? We’re back with a brand new season of Why the Flick? and some exciting news to share. They say good things come in threes so our podcast is officially growing to a trio as our friends Danielle and Alex join Claire to take on the hosting mantle together! To kick off this new year new us vibe, we’re serving up the perfect appetizer: a get to know us minisode. Whether you’re a long-time listener or a WTF newbie, there’s lots to discover about the three of us as we dive into movie-talk, how we met, and of course our Hogwarts houses. And make sure to join us on March 4 for our first full episode of season 5.
A movie podcast that asks the hard-hitting question, "Why the flick?" Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and follow @whytheflick on Instagram, TikTok, and Letterboxd.
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