Medium Literate

The Social Reckoning

LET'S GET READY TO RECKON. This week we're talking about The Social Reckoning, the long awaited follow-up to 2010's The Social Network. This time it's Oops All Aaron Sorkin, and the results... aren't great. Emily and Monika talk about their tech takes, the silicon valley movie and miniseries industrial complex, the surprise cameo from January 6th, the insane score, and why this movie just doesn't work in our current landscape, or possibly any landscape at any point. Join the conversation with us below: Email us mediumliterate@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

Verity

Against all odds, we are here to defend Verity. This week, Monika and Emily dip their toes into the CoHo waters to talk about Michael Showalter’s star-studded adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s extremely popular/horny/violent thriller starring Dakota Johnson, Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett, a movie we can only describe (lovingly) as prestige Lifetime schlock. We get into why Dakota Johnson’s particular brand of deadpan coolness is absolutely perfect for Lowen Ashleigh (perfect name), Anne Hathaway playing evil, Josh Hartnett’s ongoing second career as "Hot Dad Who May Be Dangerous...or not?" and why this movie understands exactly how seriously to take its beach-read source material. ***Major spoilers for Verity throughout!!! Join the conversation with us below: Email us mediumliterate@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

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Digger

This week we’re talking about Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Digger, starring Tom Cruise as an oil tycoon at the center of an apocalyptic climate disaster (and also some other stuff) We discuss whether a movie can be intentionally unpleasant and still simply not work for you, Iñárritu’s keen eye for bringing together incredibly skilled film crafts-people, and the exciting return of Tom Cruise doing something other than jumping out of airplanes. ***Major spoilers for Digger throughout the entire conversation. Join the conversation with us below: Email us mediumliterate@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

Primetime

Lance Oppenheim's 'Primetime' has been one of the most hotly anticipated films of the year, and Monika and Emily are both here to say that in their opinions, it did not disappoint. This episode covers a lot of ground, both within the movie itself: the electrifying performances from basically everyone, theorizing about what the movie makes of Chris Hansen as a man and as a cultural figure, the humor, the darkness, the visuals, AND outside the movie: The 2025 documentary 'Predators', the show 'Undercover Underage', Lance Oppenheim's previous work, Chris Hansen's current career, and the whole sub-genre of media that he ultimately spawned. 'Primetime' is a provocative movie about a tonally fascinating juggernaut of a show about the darkest parts of humanity, and that's a recipe for a very long, very wide-ranging conversation to try to make a little bit of sense out of a lot of things. Join the conversation with us below: Email us mediumliterate@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

Resident Evil

Fire up those PlayStations, we’re headed to Raccoon City baby!! This week, we’re talking about Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil. Neither of us has ever played a Resident Evil game, which puts us in an interesting position: How well does a video game adaptation work when you have absolutely no attachment to the source material? We get into the movie’s pretty darn effective attempt to recreate the feeling of actually playing a game, from its camera movements and real-time pacing and constant stream of increasingly disgusting obstacles. Some other important discussion topics include: Austin Abrams carrying an entire movie, impossible task of balancing horror and comedy, our favorite infected monsters, and whether a movie really needs to be “about” anything if it’s this much fun. Before all that, Monika talks about her very unexpected experience seeing Skweezy Jibbs Makes a Movie in Chicago. Join the conversation with us below: Email us mediumliterate@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT 00:00 Welcome & Spoiler warning 04:48 Skweezy Jibbs Makes a Movie 15:32 Resident Evil

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Practical Magic 2

Almost 30 years after the first movie, the Owens sisters are back... but also somehow it's only about 12 years or so since the events of the first movie, but also it's somehow present day. Look: time in Practical Magic 2 is very confusing, as is the story, as are the character choices. The only magic in this movie is the chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, which is thankfully as strong as ever. Everything else is really a mess. Even Lee Pace can't save this movie, which is saying a lot. Monika and Emily discuss the casting, the issues with legacy sequels, the laziness of the writing, the unfortunately impossible to ignore plastic surgery, and, of course, the original Practical Magic. Also, a thorough discussion of the popcorn buckets and cups they put out for this movie. Join the conversation with us below: https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

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Coyote vs. ACME & Finding Emily

SURPRISE! WE ARE FINALLY IN PERSON FOR ONE OF THESE!! Monika and Emily wandered up to the Twin Cities to hang out, watch some youtube videos in an AirBnB, and of course check out the Minnesota State Fair! This week at the movies we cover Coyote vs. Acme, the Looney Tunes courtroom drama that almost never got released, and also Finding Emily, the rom-com that actually remebered to be both rom AND com for once. **SPOILER WARNING FOR COYOTE vs. ACME & FINDING EMILY** Plus: A recap of some of our time together in Minnesota, the 4H llama costume contest, butter princesses, Tweety Bird's gender, and a lot of tangents that spun out of us being giddy about recording in person for the first time. Chapters: 00:00 Minnesota State Fair Recap 11:24 Finding Emily 30:19 Coyote vs. Acme Join the conversation with us below: https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

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The Dog Stars & It Ends

This week is an Old Man vs. Baby smackdown when we talk about both 88 year old legend Ridley Scott's post-apocalyptic The Dog Stars and Gen Z newcomer Alexander Ullom's existential horror It Ends. We both preferred one over the other by a lot, and it wasn't necessarily the one we would have expected. The post-apocalypse setting also leads to a discussion about movies' brother, TV, Particularly: Paradise on Hulu. Also, a fun announcement about next week's episode! Timestamps: 02:14 It Ends 28:06 The Dog Stars 01:00:11 TV Talk Join the conversation with us below: https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

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Tony

This week we're taking it back to the summer of 1975 in Provincetown, Massachusetts for Tony, the newest entry into the very-specific-moment-in-the-subject's-life genre of biopics. Emily and Monika are absolutely thrilled to have a reason to talk about Matt Johnson (but let's be honest, they'll always find a reason somehow), and get into the intertwined threads of beauty and the melancholy of this film, Anthony Bourdain as a cultural figure, and sad men. Join the conversation with us below: https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

The End of Oak Street

Get your running shoes on, we're fleeing from dinosaurs in the suburbs of Michigan with the J.J. Abrams produced, David Robert Michell film The End of Oak Street. Anne Hathaway dares to steal our hearts for a 4th time this year in this thrill ride of a movie and Monika and Emily are beaming with the energy of the "we are so back" vibes around this blockbuster. Monika also takes the show on a 20 minute detour in the beginning of the episode to talk about the screening she went to of the upcoming documentary film Wild Inside, about Flaco the owl. Timestamps: 01:32 Wild Inside 22:24 End of Oak Street Join the conversation with us below: https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

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One Night Only

The high-concept rom-com that everyone's been referring to as "the sex Purge movie" for the better part of the past year is finally out, and this week we're doing a full dissection. One Night Only has an undeniably strange premise, and we talk all about its logistics, implications, and how it lands in this current climate. We also talk about where the movie succeeds and fails on a rom-com level, and delve into the leads' chemistry (or lack thereof), the abundance of cameos, and the film's confusing point of view. Also, Monika accidentally became a member of The Angel Guild via a mystery movie screening this week and we HAVE to rescue her. Join the conversation with us below: https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

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I Want Your Sex

Gregg Araki's I Want Your Sex stars Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman in a joyful, messy, unpolished sex romp that felt like a breath of fresh air after some very serious movies. We got into the Gregg Araki's film history, discussed how UNSTOPPABLE Olivia Wilde is this year and how Cooper Hoffman is THE "it" boy that we all need to be buying stock in NOW. Join the conversation with us below: https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

Her Private Hell

This week's conversation about Nicolas Winding Refn's first feature film since The Neon Demon was really an exercise for us in how to discuss a movie that neither of us enjoyed in a way that goes deeper than just listing all the things we didn't like about it. Her Private Hell was made to be divisive, and we found that to be an interesting intention to try to dissect in itself. The whole episode is a real dance of Emily being very mean about it and Monika trying to force us to be smart! Join the conversation with us below: https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

The Odyssey

The time has come to have a lighthearted romp through the mediterranean with Odysseus. That's right, this week we're covering Christopher Nolan's take on The Odyssey, starring Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway. Join us as we go through the movie beat by beat and talk about the breathtaking spectacle of this movie, performances that are going to stick with us for a long time, and of course give our super smart (college dropout) analysis of how this measures up to the cultural understanding of this foundational text. **THIS IS A FULL SPOILER DISCUSSION OF THE FILM** Join the conversation with us below: https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

The Invite

This week we get into The Invite, an impressive four-hander about the nature of relationships both starring and directed by Olivia Wilde. We both loved this movie, and found it ripe for discussion in about a million different directions. There's also a little bit of Evil Dead Burn & Rose of Nevada conversation up top. Join the conversation with us below: https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

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Minions and Monsters

Bello! We are finally able to talk about THE theatrical event of the year: Minions and Monsters! Unsurprisingly, this movie had both Emily and Monika buzzing with excitement. But don't worry there are also some tough questions tackled in this one like "If you bite into a minion, what is the texture?" and "Do the minions have a beauty standard?" In this episode we also manage to cover Jackass: Best and Last (again) and the 2022 showbiz epic Babylon. Join the conversation with us below: https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

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Supergirl & Jackass: Best and Last

This week we saw Supergirl and unfortunately we thought it was Super bad at being a movie. We try to break down why we disliked it so much, and we even have some differing thought paths we each took that ultimately got us to the same conclusion of feeling evil about it. We also touch on Jackass: Best and Last, but because Emily didn't have time to see it before recording (bad Emily, that's a horrible Emily), that's a spoiler free convo and largely about our respective relationships to the Jackass franchise. 03:37 Supergirl 46:28 Jackass Join the conversation with us below: https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

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2026 Mid Year Check In

This week we're taking a break from new theatrical releases to do a mid year check in on the movies we've actually loved in 2026 so far. Below are the timestamps for the movies discussed: 04:32 Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie 23:01 Send Help 31:25 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple 45:32 Documentary: Stolen Kingdom (Rent it today on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/video-store/new-releases/stolen-kingdom/) 49:32 Documentary: Lorne 53:38 Documentary: Listers (Extreme Birdwatching) (Watch Listers on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl-wAqplQAo ) 58:11 Emily Rapid Fire Movie Takes 01:12:25 Upcoming 2026 Movie Hype Join the conversation with us below: https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

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Disclosure Day

If we learned anything from Disclosure Day it's that revealing the truth is so important, and our truth is that we both absolutely hated this movie. We try to decipher why exactly Steven Spielberg's newest alien movie got under our skin so much, and why it's been so divisive in general. Our conversation is full of spoilers and what SOME might call "rants" about the script, the story, the failed metaphors, the naivety of boomers, the politics, and of course the size discrepancy between all the aliens. Join the conversation with us below: https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT

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Masters of the Universe

Neither Monika nor Emily had any relationship to the He-Man character going into this one, and yet we've been genuinely charmed by the Masters of the Universe movie. This week they get into why a campy, slightly homoerotic, two and a half hour fantasy epic about a blonde himbo in a leather harness and his many friends somehow... worked? We know! We're surprised too. We cover a lot in this one, like the surprisingly great fight sequences, Jared Leto being hidden behind a skeleton face (best case Leto scenario really), Alison Brie's witch with a razor sharp bob, the three post credit scenes of a cinematic universe that may never be, and a lot of charming tangents you will definitely all love! Join the conversation with us below: https://www.instagram.com/mediumliterate/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mediumliterate https://www.youtube.com/@MediumLiterate https://www.patreon.com/c/mediumliterate Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/happy-street License code: B9EXR1D9EIBQLKXT