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PODCAST

Midday Movies

Laura Fones and Stephen Frothingham

Welcome to the Midday Movies podcast, provider of fun, funny, and thoughtful media reviews 2-3x a week. Streaming on @radiotacoma101.9 every Tues/Thurs/Sat at 3pm.

tv & film

All Episodes

00:22:32

Ep 155: Cliche Life Advice That Turned Out to Be True...

Midday Movies ·

2024/08/15

Today we’re diving in to life advice cliches that are actually really valuable when you fully ingest their meaning. We’ve all had the, “Ugh that so true!” moment. Alongside contributions from the lovely redditors who populate the r/AskReddit subreddit, we share our own favorite platitudes that only seem to get truer with age. What have you been told makes up a happy life? Are you pouring from an empty cup? And what Japanese concept will help you find your life’s purpose? Join us for some of the best

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00:25:54

Ep 154: The Childfree vs. Having Children Debate...

Midday Movies ·

2024/08/14

Today we’re discussing one of the most important questions for Millennials and Gen Z — to have children or be childfree. From our Baby Boomer parents who long to be grandparents to vice presidential candidates obsessed with your personal procreation, child-having is a hot topic. We share our own experience fielding questions about family planning in our thirties as well as reflecting on common family structures from a historical point of view. Whether you’ve got a Post-War nuclear family, a

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00:22:47

Ep 153: Reviewing “Ego Is The Enemy” (Ryan Holiday,...

Midday Movies ·

2024/08/13

Today we’re on a self-development journey. Between reading Ryan Holiday’s “Ego is the Enemy” (2016) and recognizing undesirable characteristics of our parents in ourselves, it’s time to do some inner excavation and put those insights into action! Is your sense of self fragile or even outdated? Have failures felt crippling even though you know, intellectually, that you have to fail to succeed? And are you out here just trying to shed generational rage? Same. Join us for a discussion of ego and

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00:20:46

Ep 152: Returning to “VEEP” (HBO, 2019) for the 2024...

Midday Movies ·

2024/08/08

Today we’re sharing our impressions of the critically-acclaimed 2010s HBO comedy, “VEEP” (2012-2019). Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and increasingly relevant as our own US election year starts to take on that show’s plot dimensions, this workplace sitcom of Capital Hill satirizes the uniquely strange and idiosyncratic personalities that are drawn to political power. Never stating party identities, never showing the character of the president, and never concretely solving a problem are just a few

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00:28:00

Ep 151: What the Hunger Games Teaches Us About...

Midday Movies ·

2024/08/07

Today we're revisiting the first "Hunger Games" film (2012, dir. Gary Ross), in honor of the recent loss of the first President Snow, actor Donald Sutherland. With new context provided by "A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," we discuss the perfect cruelty and systemic dehumanization of Suzanne Collin's fictional Panem. Using class as a tool of exploitation within Panem's district communities, among districts, and in the Capitol itself, we clarify the ways in which the games dehumanize EVERYONE in

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00:23:01

Ep 150: The Quiet Horror of “A Quiet Place: Day One”...

Midday Movies ·

2024/08/06

Today we're sharing our thoughts on the alien invasion / monster horror film, "A Quiet Place: Day One." Following a late-stage cancer patient (played by Lupita Nyong'o) on what she believes to be her last visit to New York City, all heck breaks loose when an apocalyptic alien invasion lands in Manhattan. Also starring Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, and Djimon Hounsou, we get an up-close view of the disaster as Samira weaves through a broken NYC in search of one last pizza slice (I'm not kidding). Though

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00:25:56

Ep 149: Dream Interpretation, Symbols, and Signs:...

Midday Movies ·

2024/08/01

Today we're returning to the realm of dreams (with our trusty Encyclopedia of Symbols, Signs, and Interpretations). This episode, Laura will be sharing her reoccurring dream motifs and characters. On this episode you'll learn the potential meanings behind your dream location and environments. Did you know that houses often represent the self? -- And that what those houses contain can hold hidden clues about your subconscious. Are you alone in your dreams or with people? Do you feel anxiety or

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00:23:27

Ep 148: Wizards, Dragons, and Crocodile Dream...

Midday Movies ·

2024/07/31

Today we're exploring dreams -- symbols, signs, and interpretations (with an illustrated encyclopedia as our guide). Stephen shares childhood dreams and reoccurring adult nightmares, and we investigate their actual, subconscious meaning. Do dragons symbolize good fortune or ill omens? What is the nature of magic, and specifically of a wizard performing transformation spells on your friends? And did you know there was an honest-to-god crocodile city in Ancient Egypt? All this and more as eastern and

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00:22:59

Ep 147: FBI Agents, Serial Killers, and the Unique...

Midday Movies ·

2024/07/30

Today we're talking about the serial killer thriller and surprise summer hit, "Longlegs" -- supposedly the scariest movie of the year. A paranormal period piece/FBI procedural that features Nicholas Cage being wacky, we chisel away our favorite elements of this indie horror "masterpiece" and dive into all the unique choices separating this film from others. Is the east coast inherently spooky? Would Hannibal Lecter like Lee Harker? And what was your scariest moment from the first Clinton

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00:21:17

Ep 146: Late-in-Life Love and Mother/Daughter...

Midday Movies ·

2024/07/25

Today we're talking about the Netflix top 10 film, "A Family Affair." A rom-com-dram starring Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, and Joey King, this movie gives viewers some zany and some heartstring-tugging moments. With meditations on late-in-life love, the evolving mother-daughter relationship as we age, and the legacy of a deceased parent, this film is elevated by its heavy-hitting cast. We also draw parallels to Prime Video's earlier-in-the-year release, "The Idea of You,"

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00:24:26

Ep 145: “Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood” -...

Midday Movies ·

2024/07/24

Today we are concluding our Midday Musings series on the HBO Max docuseries, "Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood." We will review Scooter's version of events (episode 2 of the series) -- from his role as the "big brother" music manager to Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Kanye West to the Swiftie fan-army fallout he experienced as the buyer of Big Machine Records. Does he deserve all the hate? When two Goliaths fight, does David win? And who among us would be dense

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00:24:02

Ep 144: “Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood” -...

Midday Movies ·

2024/07/23

Today we are back discussing the HBO Max documentary, “Taylor Swift vs. Scooter Braun: Bad Blood” (2024). In this part two, we will dissecting the events post-“Kimye”’s “Famous” drama and post-sale of Taylor Swift’s masters to Scooter Braun’s holding company. This will chart the public battle for ownership rights, Swift’s masterclass response to widespread public backlash, and her ultimate ascent to “The Man” / turbo-capitalist who brought us the economy-breaking Eras Tour. We’re discussing the

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00:19:48

Ep 143: “Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood” -...

Midday Movies ·

2024/07/18

Today we are discussing the HBO Max documentary, “Taylor Swift vs. Scooter Braun: Bad Blood” (2024). This docuseries charts the very personal battle between artist and management team over the ownership of Taylor Swift’s music masters — representing six of the highest selling albums of all time. In this part one, we will be detailing the timeline of events that led to the sale of Swift’s music as well as the sociological context around 2010s celebrity social-media-soaked culture. We’re talking Kanye

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00:28:23

Ep 142: Analyzing “American Nightmare” (Netflix, 2024)

Midday Movies ·

2024/07/17

Today we’re discussing the explosively popular Netflix docuseries, “American Nightmare.” Following the bizarre story — and devastating media aftermath — of a home invasion/kidnapping in Vallejo, CA, we are shown that the real American nightmare is not the crime itself, but the institutional response to victims of that crime. Denise Huskins and her boyfriend Aaron Quinn find themselves on the wrong end of local police, FBI, and news media spin despite all attempts to act in good faith. With lots to

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00:24:25

Ep 141: Oh, Canada! (Vancouver Edition)

Midday Movies ·

2024/07/16

Today we’re discussing our friendly northern neighbor, Canada. Having just returned from a 4-day trip to Vancouver, we’ve got loads of cultural commentary and travel advice to share. Did you know there are laws against freeways in Vancouver city limits? Have you any idea the sheer number of weddings Stanley Park can hold? And why is it that in Canada, “Dragons” can own their “Den” but in America, “Sharks” cannot own their “Tank”? It is a puzzler. Let’s get into it!Follow us on your favorite

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00:40:38

Bonus: Salish Sea Feet Discoveries with Rainy Day...

Midday Movies ·

2024/07/12

Today we are hosting an excellent episode from the excellent podcast, Rainy Day Rabbit Holes. Enjoy! Join us for a toe-tally intriguing episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes where we dive deep into the baffling phenomenon of the Salish Sea Feet Discoveries! Since 2007, detached human feet have been washing ashore on the coasts of the Salish Sea, leaving both locals and scientists scratching their heads—and their toes.In this gripping episode, we explore the possible explanations behind these

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00:22:02

Ep 139: Nerdy Red Flags

Midday Movies ·

2024/07/11

Today we’re unboxing a BRAND NEW expansion of Red Flags Friday (courtesy of our good friend and podcast listener) — with content exclusively for nerds! The Grim Rabbit Game’s romance and date-centered card game is catering to Star Trek and Star Wars fans, as well as the chronically online. With that in mind, our hosts sit down and ask questions about TARDISes, time machines, and Harry Potter, determining whether these terrible dates can be saved by nerdy white flags. Who is your favorite internet

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00:24:22

Ep 138: What’s Your Favorite Sci-Fi Trope

Midday Movies ·

2024/07/10

Today we’re discussing top sci-fi tropes in media we love as well as science fiction concepts that spark our imagination. With examples from top sci-fi short stories and Taiwanese novels, we discuss common and uncommon tropes that depict a potential, thought-provoking future. Undersea, skin-obsessed civilizations that have escaped climate catastrophe? Intergalactic civil wars that include high-stakes singing competitions? Aliens sending life-saving messages through an 8-foot tall flamingo? Whether

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00:24:21

Ep 137: TikTok Star Murders (Peacock, 2024)

Midday Movies ·

2024/07/09

Today we’re discussing the content of Peacock’s new true crime documentary, “TikTok Star Murders.” Produced by 50 Cent, this social media documentary follows the tragic, ultimately-fatal relationship roller coaster of TikTok content creator JinnKid (Ali Abulaban) and his wife Ana. Culminating in a shocking double homicide in San Diego’s luxury Spire residences, this true story unfolds through TikTok content and damning private recordings created by the perpetrator himself. A tale of dangerous

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00:25:14

Ep 136: More First Date Questions from Relationship...

Midday Movies ·

2024/07/05

Once again, we’re sharing some of the “150 Best Questions To Ask On A First Date, According to Relationship Experts” (Women’s Health Magazine, 2024). With insights from Lisa Marie Bobby, PhD., Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, PhD., and Courtney Tracy, LCSW, PsyD, we share even more of the relationship insights and effective first date questions to keep your conversations constructive and free-flowing. Discovering personality markers for new people and easing the social anxiety of initial interactions are

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296 results

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