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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

00:22:59

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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00:22:32

Ep 135: What’s Your Favorite Type of Horror

Midday Movies ·

2024/07/03

Today we’re discussing our favorite horror motifs from films, television, and games (shoutout to The Recap Rewatch for inspiring a “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” rewatch). Whether it’s Ariana Grande wanting to have dinner with Jeffrey Dahmer or Stephen getting spooky with the forest-cabin settings of “Evil Dead” and “Until Dawn,” every horror fan wants their spine tingled. What’s YOUR favorite type of horror? And what does horror allow us to imagine that other genres don’t? Prepare for Summerween with

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00:24:25

Ep 134: Top Indie Games on Itch.io

Midday Movies ·

2024/07/02

Today we’re digging into some of the top-rated games on user-generated indie game platform Itch.io. Games include “Night of the Consumer,” “Crawler,” “Baby Blues Nightmare,” and more. We discuss the unique game mechanics and themes that indie developers can offer a player that AAA games cannot (due to profit incentive). Whether it’s horror elements or unusual player-insert characters, there’s a world of indie brilliance in the game development space. Join us as we celebrate these small creators and

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00:22:24

Ep 133: First Date Questions from Relationship...

Midday Movies ·

2024/06/28

Today 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, this list provides listeners with some conversational prompts that serve to invite deeper connections and more interesting conversations. Sharing some of our answers to probing questions and priming any potential daters, this list of first date questions

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00:21:06

Ep 132: Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life...

Midday Movies ·

2024/06/27

Today we’re discussing Cal Newport’s book, “Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World” and how a reduction in device use might just better our lives. Stephen shares his insights as a recent reader of the self-development / digital discipline book and Laura shares findings from behavioral science studies that reveal clues as to why digital life is so addicting. The goal is increased focus and in Cal Newport’s book he gives his characteristic non-nonsense advice for the modern

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00:24:03

Ep 131: House of the Dragon Season 2 (HBO MAX, 2024)

Midday Movies ·

2024/06/26

Today we’re reviewing the premiere episode of the much-awaited GoT prequel, “House of the Dragon.” Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith, and Rhys Ifans reprise their roles as the adult members of the Targaryen and Hightower clans, who last season were poised to clash in civil war. Despite the two year delay between seasons, viewers occupy the immediate aftermath of King Viserys’ death and the succession crisis it creates. Now the children of these two families (the Greens and the Blacks, as fans

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00:22:09

Ep 130: Inside Out 2 and the Science of Emotion...

Midday Movies ·

2024/06/25

Today we’re discussing the 2024 sequel to Pixar’s 2015 classic, “Inside Out.” Amy Poehler reprises her role as “Joy,” main character Riley’s primary emotion. Joining the cast is Maya Hawke as “Anxiety,” one of Riley’s new pubescent emotions. In this film, our main character is now 13, going through puberty, leaving middle school, and navigating increasingly complex emotional landscapes. Joy, Anger, Fear, Disgust, and Sadness are now joined by Anxiety, Ennui, Envy, and Embarrassment in Riley’s

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00:23:18

Ep 129: Maxton Hall: The World Between Us (Prime...

Midday Movies ·

2024/06/21

Today we’re discussing the internationally popular young adult contemporary romance series, “Maxton Hall: the World Between Us” (streaming on Prime Video). Inspired by the Mona Kasten novel, “Save Me” and starring Harriet Herbig-Matten and Damien Hardung as socioeconomically- and ideologically-opposed students at the elite preparatory school Maxton Hall, viewers are gifted an enemies-to-lovers narrative with rich-versus-poor stakes. Competently constructed and enjoyable, this series is indicative of

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00:20:43

Ep 128: Zombie Survivalism in “Project Zomboid”...

Midday Movies ·

2024/06/20

Today we’re discussing indie zombie survival horror game, “Project Zomboid” (produced and published by The Indie Stone). Originally built as a Sims mod, this hardcore-difficulty game presents its players with 4 available Kentucky environments in which to attempt survival, using more than a dozen player-character types, and personalizing your playthrough further with good and bad traits. Designed to be unwinnable, Project Zomboid challenges players to test their “zombie apocalypse” strategies against

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308 results

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