Why the Flick?

The time has come for us to sadly close out Ani-MAY-tion Month so we’re ending on the perfect note with our final pick: The Last Unicorn (1982). Based on the acclaimed story by Peter S. Beagle, it’s a cult classic that mixes '80s dark fantasy with '70s medieval revival in a way that gives peak weirdness. But despite its strange visuals, this Rankin-Bass and Top Craft (pre-Studio Ghibli) collaboration is a celebration of animation brought to life with a soundtrack by America and legendary voice acting from Mia Farrow, Christopher Lee, Jeff Bridges, and more. For the final episode of our themed month, we’re embarking on a quest through book vs movie comparisons, mortality themes, and our dangerous boobs era.

Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Unicorn_(film)
https://www.slashfilm.com/751443/turns-out-the-last-unicorn-is-a-secret-studio-ghibli-film/
https://gamerant.com/last-unicorn-studio-ghibli-connection/
https://collider.com/what-did-peter-s-beagle-think-of-the-last-unicorn-movie/
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/06/christopher-lee-obituary-peter-s-beagle
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8prJxxf

There’s something about stop-motion animation that’s equal parts beautiful and creepy so naturally we made sure to fit this art style into our Ani-MAY-tion Month lineup. And no movie captures those cozy-yet-nightmarish vibes better than Coraline (2009). A debut feature from the newly formed Laika and directed by animating legend Henry Selick, it was a labor of love that expanded the medium to a vibrant 3D world for the first time ever. Featuring a spooky backdrop, this flick also earns its reputation as the perfect gateway into horror for any little goth at heart. In our second theme pick, we’re doing our best to unravel the mysteries behind Other Mother’s origin, jumping mice, and those terrifying button eyes. Plus, one of our cohosts might finally be over their lifelong claymation phobia.

Resources
Hand-Making Coraline: Behind LAIKA’s First Feature
Animating Coraline - Behind the Scenes
Hand Made in 3D: Behind the Scenes of Coraline
Biggest Smallest World: Behind the Scenes of Coraline
https://collider.com/coraline-3d-animation/
https://oregonconfluence.com/2020/10/12/how-the-classic-oregonmade-film-coraline-came-to-be-set-in-ashland-or/
https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/52484-dakota-fanning-is-the-voice-of-coraline
https://coraline.fandom.com/wiki/April_Spink

We’ve been cooking on our next theme for a while now, listeners, so when the time finally came around we knew we had to unveil Ani-MAY-tion Month. For the next four weeks, we’ll be immersing ourselves in the world of animated cinema and there’s no better place to start than with The Prince of Egypt (1998). One of Dreamwork’s first projects, this flick brings the Passover story to life in the grandest, most epic way possible, complete with a banger soundtrack and top-tier voice cast that includes the likes of Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Tune into our newest episode of Why the Flick? as we dive into the film’s stunning visuals, its Exodus adaptation, and the high-stakes of sibling rivalries.

Resources
Jews on Film: The Prince of Egypt w/ Stephanie Butnick
The Prince of Egypt VFX Featurette
https://www.filmsound.org/studiosound/postpro.html
https://www.cinemantics.org/p/why-the-prince-of-egypt-is-the-best
https://www.cloudypicture.com/p/the-prince-of-egypt-and-the-power
https://www.filminquiry.com/animation-sensation-the-prince/

Did Jane Austen invent the enemies to lovers trope? We can’t say for sure, but she certainly perfected it if Pride & Prejudice (2005) has anything to say about it. For Danielle’s birthday episode, we’re stepping into Regency-era England to gush over one of the most beloved adaptations from the famous romance author herself. Featuring a phenomenal cast led by Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, this film delivers peak yearning and more pop culture memes than we can count. This episode, we’re swooning over it all as we talk on-set romances, beet root makeup, the Learned Pig of Norwich, and that iconic hand flex.

Resources
https://collider.com/pride-prejudice-best-jane-austen-adaptation/
https://screenrant.com/pride-prejudice-movie-2005-book-differences-comparison/
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a64526182/pride-and-prejudice-joe-wright-20th-anniversary-interview/
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/pride-and-prejudice-20th-anniversary-director-joe-wright-interview
Darcy Says Please

It might be sacrilegious to suggest watching Suspiria (2018) before Suspiria (1977), but if this episode is any indication, that might be the best approach. Whichever order you choose, we’ve got you covered with a surprise double feature. Check out our discussion of the remake here and our take on the original over on Reel Millennials (Don’t Remember). Don’t be fooled though—these films might have the same title, but the vibes couldn’t be more different. Luca Guadagnino’s homage to Dario Argento’s beloved classic stands firmly on its own two feet, even if it was divisive among critics (and your two hosts). On a new Why the Flick?, we’re invoking the spirit of dance and jumping all over the place as we unravel German history, femininity, and Tilda Swinton’s prank side.
Resources
Reel Millennials—Suspiria (1977) Episode
https://www.wired.com/story/suspiria-movie-review/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/suspiria-explained-what-is-movie-trying-say-1157724/
https://www.autostraddle.com/luca-guadagnino-suspiria-2018-good-horror-remakes/
https://layeredbutter.com/editorial/suspiria
https://www.vulture.com/2018/10/suspiria-a-german-history-primer.html
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/10/tilda-swinton-old-man-suspiria-who-plays-helena-markos