Why the Flick?

Are we the only people who haven’t seen Mission: Impossible (1996) until now? Probably not, but we’re accepting our mission to finally meet Ethan Hunt in the story that started it all—and we’re joined by guest and fellow first-time watcher Meghan Dhawan. Before Tom Cruise was known for risking life and limb, Brian De Palma brought the hit TV series to the big screen with a tamer take on the franchise we know and love today, though not without its share of drama. Even so, this OG flick gave fans a hint of what was to come with its action-packed stunts, elaborate disguises, and surprising twists. This episode, we’re breaking down our different entry points to the franchise, favorite spy tech, and the question on everyone’s mind: where did all the magic tricks go? This message will self-destruct in 5 seconds.

Follow Meghan Dhawan on Instagram @meghan_dhawan and @meghan.on.the.mic

Resources
https://www.rogerebert.com/features/a-lit-fuse-the-history-of-the-mission-impossible-franchise
https://deadline.com/2025/05/mission-impossible-directors-interview-de-palma-woo-abrams-1236385521/
https://boldentrance.com/mission-impossible-train-sequence/amp/
https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-behind-the-scenes-battles-of-the-mission-impossible-franchise/

Sometimes we have fun watching a film. And sometimes we have more fun thinking about a film after the fact which ended up being the case with our latest pick There Will Be Blood (2007). Semi-based on Upton Sinclair’s novel Oil, this flick is the ultimate boy movie that pits two men in an age-old battle of capitalism vs religion, all in the pursuit of power. Despite its bleak themes and slow burn runtime, Paul Thomas Anderson’s period drama is serving low-key horror along with peak moments of milkshake entertainment and more open-hand slaps than we can count. On this episode of Why the Flick?, we’re drilling into all those biblical references, twin trickery, and the enigma that is Daniel Day-Lewis.

Resources
https://noellembrooks.com/2009/10/08/there-will-be-holy-ironic-blood/amp/
https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/there-will-be-blood-kel-oneill-eli-sunday-fired-paul-thomas-anderson-1201905353/
https://www.chicagomoviemagazine.com/post/daniel-day-lewis
https://gabrielleulubay.medium.com/in-defense-of-a-sociopath-my-thoughts-on-daniel-plainview-in-there-will-be-blood-933395b2b9e4
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/books/review/Essay-t.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/22/timestopics/topics_uptonsinclair_oil.html

Pride Month may be ending, but our joyful subtheme continues for one more episode—only this time we’re swapping a gay fight club for a gay nightclub with The Birdcage (1996). Starring comedic geniuses Nathan Lane and Robin Williams, this beloved farce remains as hilarious as ever thanks to its sharp wit and surprisingly pointed social commentary. On top of its unforgettable performances, the film was also ahead of its time in the way it challenged misconceptions about the LGBTQ+ community and paved the way for more playful queer representation. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, we’re diving into it all while putting a spotlight on the funniest one-liners, Val’s villainy, and the power of drag.

Resources
https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/08/movies/film-review-la-cage-aux-folles-but-in-south-beach.html
https://www.today.com/popculture/nathan-lane-says-robin-williams-protected-interview-oprah-winfrey-rcna76537
https://deadline.com/2024/06/nathan-lane-robin-williams-advice-coming-out-birdcage-1235975010/
https://people.com/nathan-lane-robin-williams-the-birdcage-incredibly-generous-exclusive-8661593
https://people.com/nathan-lane-wasnt-brave-enough-to-come-out-when-the-birdcage-was-released-11945651
https://www.slashfilm.com/1801031/why-gene-hackman-starred-the-birdcage/
https://flaszonfilm.com/2026/02/02/the-birdcage-at-30-cultural-de-escalation-through-exposure-therapy-and-points-of-no-return/
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20210310-the-birdcage-at-25-a-pioneering-moment-in-mainstream-cinema

It’s time for Pride Month and this year we’re putting the spotlight on joyful LGBTQ+ stories, starting with Bottoms (2023). From Shiva Baby creator Emma Seligman with acting duo Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri, this female-led flick is both an ode to and fresh take on the raunchy teen comedy. Thanks to its absurdist tone and neverending visual gags, the story flips the genre on its head by centering queer characters who start a fight club to win over their cheerleader crushes—all while tackling conversations on coming of age and female solidarity. This episode, we’re along for the ride as we discuss our favorite jokes, the standout soundtrack, and all the gloriously chaotic fighting.

Resources
https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/bottoms-review-rachel-sennott-1235550522/
https://www.indiewire.com/features/craft/bottoms-emma-seligman-editing-improv-1234902688/
https://people.com/marshawn-lynch-took-role-in-bottoms-for-his-queer-sister-exclusive-7964651
https://mashable.com/article/bottoms-makeup-natalie-christine-johnson
https://clutchpoints.com/entertainment/bottoms-stunt-coordinator-deven-macnair-exclusive-interview
https://filmmakermagazine.com/121937-interview-emma-seligman-bottoms/
https://www.vulture.com/article/bottoms-emma-seligman-rachel-sennott-ayo-edebiri.html

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