Why the Flick?

The Oscars might be over, but when we recorded this episode we had high hopes that Hamnet (2025) would see some award love. Thankfully, this time our instincts were right with Jessie Buckley clinching her much-deserved Best Actress win. Because even though this film is based around one of the most famous plays of William Shakespeare, it’s really Agnes’ story. This week on the podcast, we’re experiencing all the emotions in the critically acclaimed drama from Chloé Zhao that may or may not have been inspired by real historical events. One thing we know for sure is it’s richly layered in its portrayal of nature, mysticism, and a family’s enduring love. Join us as we dive into all the scrumptious symbolism, learn about 16th century earrings, and reckon with the fact that the Bard had a wife and kids?!
Resources
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a69593641/hamnet-william-agnes-shakespeare-true-story/
https://www.vulture.com/article/hamnet-review-the-most-devastating-movie-ive-seen-in-years.html
https://filmalysis.substack.com/p/the-hidden-genius-of-hamnet
https://time.com/7333783/jacobi-jupe-noah-jupe-hamnet-interview/

Did you miss us? We’re back for season 6 and celebrating our 100th episode with one of our favorite releases of last year—Weapons (2025). Directed by Zach Cregger of Barbarian and Whitest Kids U'Know fame, his sophomore flick delivers a fresh, unexpectedly funny take on the horror genre, where every scene leaves you asking “what is even happening?”. But beneath the unhinged chaos, it's also rife with themes of isolation, grief, trauma, and more depending on your personal interpretation. So get a little witchy with us as we unpack the unconventional narrative structure, explore parasite symbolism, and debate how many hot dogs are actually feasible for one person to eat.
Resources
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/weapons-audiences-disagree-movie-1236342296/
https://people.com/why-pedro-pascal-replaced-by-josh-brolin-weapons-11786603
https://www.screendaily.com/features/weapons-star-amy-madigan-on-why-she-didnt-see-aunt-gladys-as-the-villain-this-woman-is-fantastic/5211809.article
https://collider.com/weapons-narrative-structure-character-perspectives-rashomon/
https://www.buzzfeed.com/crystalro/weapons-details-easter-eggs-secrets
https://screenrant.com/weapons-movie-aunt-gladys-twist-parasite-detail-theory/

Welcome to the end of season 5! For our 99th bonus episode, we left it up to our listeners to decide and the people have spoken—our winning flick is The Mummy (1999). Made in a carefree era of blockbuster cinema, this instant crowd pleaser blends action, adventure, horror, romance, and comedy into a wild ride that somehow just works. Stephen Sommers’ passion project pays loving homage to the 1932 classic while giving it a modern twist, complete with juicy CGI effects and one of the most attractive casts to ever grace our screens. On a special finale of Why the Flick?, we’re remembering what it’s like to have fun at the movies as we decipher the film’s lasting popularity, questionable Egyptology, and peak eyebrow game.

Resources
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-mummy-1999
https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/the-mummy-1999-review-perfect-movie
https://ew.com/movies/2019/08/13/the-mummy-making-of-brendan-fraser-stephen-sommers/
https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/director-stephen-sommers-recalls-origin-of-his-hit-mummy-films
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-mummy-director-stephen-sommers-brendan-fraser-interview-1235893764/
https://screenrant.com/mummy-movies-details-behind-scenes-trivia/
https://vfxblog.com/2017/06/05/the-mummy-1999-vfx/
https://nilescribes.org/2022/01/08/egyptological-review-of-1999-mummy/
https://egyptmanchester.wordpress.com/2017/07/22/representation-and-reality-in-the-mummy-1999/
https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/brendan-fraser-officially-confirms-the-mummy-4-with-rachel-weisz
Brendan Fraser & Dwayne Johnson Actors on Actors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaIgDbFz-sY

Christmas is only two sleeps away which means we needed a holiday flick that perfectly fit the jolly and joyous season. Of course, we’re talking about The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992). Charles Dickens may not have envisioned puppets when he wrote this literary classic, but it’s definitively the best adaptation and for good reason. Quite frankly there’s no better cast to bring this beloved story to life than Kermit, Gonzo, Miss Piggy, Rizzo, and the legendary Michael Caine in undoubtedly his most famous role. And that’s before we get to the musical of it all, even if only one of your cohosts really vibed with all the songs. This week, we’re leaving it to the Muppets to teach us some culture, decode 19th-century slang, and remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.

Resources
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/dec/21/how-we-made-the-muppet-christmas-carol
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20221209-the-muppet-christmas-carol-festive-classics-dark-backdrop
https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/making-of-muppet-christmas-carol/
https://www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2019/12/20/a-grand-yuletide-theory-the-muppet-christmas-carol-is-the-best-adaptation-of-a-christmas-carol/
Your Muppet Christmas Carol Character: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRubNitkRee/
Brett Goldstein Muppets Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3gzf9ej18I

There’s an icy chill in the air and with it comes seasonal depression—so when we decided our next flick needed to capture those sad winter vibes we knew we had to go with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). Recognized by critics and film nerds as one of the best movies of the 21st century, this breakup story starring acting favorites Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet was revolutionary at the time for its existential meaning and emotional impact. But does it still hold up with a 2025 lens? We’re getting to the bottom of this question and more in our newest episode that unpacks the unique narrative structure, Michel Gondry’s questionable directing style, and how it fits within the sci-fi genre.

Resources
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/03/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind-anniversary-jim-carrey-michel-gondry
https://cintiar.medium.com/forget-me-not-eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind-and-the-trouble-with-wanting-to-forget-d5b65bfc3530
https://screenrant.com/eternal-sunshine-spotless-mind-ending-explained-joel-clementine/
https://www.focusfeatures.com/article/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind_20th-anniversary
https://reactormag.com/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind-navigating-the-landscape-of-human-emotion/
https://theasc.com/articles/forget-me-not-eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3664683.stm