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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

00:29:26

Ep 255: Reviewing “WALL·E” (2008) PIXAR’s...

Midday Movies ·

2025/09/04

Laura and Stephen continue their "Summer of Love" series with a deep dive into Pixar’s 2008 masterpiece, WALL·E. They explore the film’s themes of love, corporatocracy, climate collapse, and the power of being yourself—even if you’re a robot. The hosts discuss the film’s visual storytelling, its critique of convenience culture, and why WALL·E stands out as one of the greatest robot romance films of the 21st century.Key Topics:Why WALL·E is the best Pixar film (and why "Up" fans might disagree)The

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00:09:39

Ep 254: “Alien: Earth” (2025, Hulu) An Alien Prequel...

Midday Movies ·

2025/09/02

Laura and Stephen discuss FX's new series, “Alien: Earth,” a prequel set two years before the original 1979 Alien film. Streaming on Hulu, the series depicts a dystopian world of 2120 controlled by five corporations, including Waylan-Yutani, and a new player called Prodigy. Prodigy, led by the young trillionaire Boy Cavalier, focuses on turning terminally ill children into synthetics. The show explores themes of corporate dystopia, immortality, and synthetic consciousness. When a Waylan-Yutani ship

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00:31:06

Ep 253: Unraveling “Phantom Thread” (2017, Paul...

Midday Movies ·

2025/08/28

In this episode of Midday Movies, Laura and Stephen delve into Paul Thomas Anderson's 2017 film “Phantom Thread,” starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Vicky Krieps. As part of their 'Summer of Love' series, they explore the complex relationship between a fastidious 1950s fashion designer and an iron-willed waitress. The discussion extends to themes of power dynamics, method acting, and the transformative nature of love. Highlights include insights on the film’s sound design, costume excellence, and the

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00:14:07

Ep 252: Are We “Materialists”? Love, Capitalism, and...

Midday Movies ·

2025/08/26

In this episode, Laura and Stephen delve into “Materialists” (2025), a film written and directed by Celine Song, centered around a New York matchmaker named Lucy, played by Dakota Johnson, who finds herself in a love triangle with two men, John (Chris Evans) and Harry (Pedro Pascal). Through this exploration, the hosts discuss the film's deep themes about love in the 2020s, questioning societal pressures, and the impact of capitalism on romantic relationships. They highlight key scenes, character

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00:22:23

Ep 251: Reviewing “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (2019)...

Midday Movies ·

2025/08/21

In this episode of Midday Movies, hosts Laura and Stephen discuss the 2019 French romantic drama “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” directed by Céline Sciamma. They highlight the film's historical accuracy, its exploration of 18th-century life, and the profound romantic connection between the characters Marianne and Heloise. The discussion also touches on the movie's mythological references to Orpheus and Eurydice and its strong emotional impact. The hosts delve into themes of love, loss, and the roles

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00:10:38

Ep 250: Let’s Talk About “KPop Demon Hunters”...

Midday Movies ·

2025/08/19

In this Midday Mini, hosts Stephen and Laura discuss their (and the internet’s) latest obsession, “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” the top-ranking 2025 Netflix animated movie. They highlight its unique blend of K-pop, musicals, Korean folklore, and anime elements, praising its captivating songs and relatable characters. Directed by Maggie Kang, the movie integrates beautifully crafted songs into its compelling storyline. The hosts compare the film's quality to classic Disney movies and anticipate more content

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00:27:37

Ep 249: 25 Best Netflix Original Series According to...

Midday Movies ·

2025/08/14

In this episode of Midday Movies, hosts Laura and Stephen discuss the top 12 best Netflix original series according to Entertainment Weekly. The podcast covers a diverse range of shows, from cultural phenomena like 'Stranger Things' and 'Bridgerton' to critical hits such as 'The Haunting of Hill House' and 'When They See Us.' They provide insights, fun facts, and personal commentary on each series, aiming to help listeners decide their next Netflix binge.00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview01:07

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00:17:57

Ep 248: Entertainment Weekly’s List of 25 Best...

Midday Movies ·

2025/08/12

In this episode of 'Midday Movies,' hosts Laura and Stephen review and discuss Entertainment Weekly's list of the 25 best Netflix original series. They start with number 25, 'The Upshaws,' and go through to number 13, 'Midnight Mass,' providing descriptions and personal insights on each show. The hosts aim to help listeners narrow down their Netflix choices among the vast array of original content available. The list includes a mix of comedy, drama, and thriller series, featuring creators like Wanda

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00:32:47

Ep 247: Exploring “Past Lives” (2023): Destiny, Love,...

Midday Movies ·

2025/08/07

💕 WELCOME TO THE SUMMER OF LOVE — REVIEWING THE BEST ROMANCES OF THE 21ST CENTURY💕 In this episode of “Midday Movies,” Laura and Stephen discuss the Oscar-nominated film “Past Lives,” written and directed by Celine Song. This episode delves into the intricacies of a love story spanning 24 years, focusing on themes of fate (“in-yeon”) , destiny, cultural identity, and the realism of human relationships. Inspired by Song's semi-autobiographical elements, the film examines the connection between Nora

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00:33:14

Ep 246: Reviewing “Almost Famous” (2000) Cameron...

Midday Movies ·

2025/08/05

💕 WELCOME TO THE SUMMER OF LOVE — REVIEWING THE BEST ROMANCES OF THE 21ST CENTURY💕 In this episode of 'Midday Movies,' Laura and Stephen take a lunch break to discuss Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical masterpiece “Almost Famous” (2000). They delve into the film's journey of a teenage rock journalist following an up-and-coming band, band politics, and unrequited love. They share researched behind-the-scenes insights, including Crowe's own experiences and the relationships he fostered with rock

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00:30:47

Ep 245: Reviewing “Call Me By Your Name” (2017) and...

Midday Movies ·

2025/07/31

💕 WELCOME TO THE SUMMER OF LOVE — REVIEWING THE BEST ROMANCES OF THE 21ST CENTURY💕 In this episode of Midday Movies, Laura and Stephen are discussing the 2017 instant romance classic, “Call Me By Your Name.” Starring Timothee Chalamet in his breakout role and with a script adapted by James Ivory (and for which he won the Oscar), this film follows a 6-week summer romance in Italy between 17 year old Elio and a 24 year old doctoral student staying with Elio’s family. Sensual and scored with longing

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00:30:34

Ep 244: Reviewing “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless...

Midday Movies ·

2025/07/29

💕 WELCOME TO THE SUMMER OF LOVE — REVIEWING THE BEST ROMANCES OF THE 21ST CENTURY💕 In this episode of Midday Movies, Laura and Stephen discuss the 2004 Charlie Kaufman masterpiece, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” Starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet (in an Oscar-nominated role) as lovers so toxic that both have decided to surgically remove the memory of their relationship, this film was voted the 7th best movie of the 21st century by the New York Times. Visually evocative and brilliantly

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00:38:56

Ep 243: Is “Parasite” (2019, Dir. Bong Joon Ho) the...

Midday Movies ·

2025/07/24

In this episode of Midday Movies, Laura and Stephen delve into the incisive themes of Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite," a film that masterfully explores the complexities of social mobility and meritocracy. As they dissect the symbolic elements and narrative structure, they reflect on how the film mirrors societal hierarchies and the elusive nature of the American Dream (or, South Korean Dream). Join them as they unravel the layers of this cinematic masterpiece, discussing its impact on both personal and

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00:30:05

Ep 242: Best 50 Movies of the 21st Century According...

Midday Movies ·

2025/07/22

In this episode of 'Midday Movies,' hosts Laura and Stephen count down the top 50 movies of the 21st century, continuing from their previous podcast episode that covered numbers 100 to 51. The list, compiled by the New York Times, reflects votes from 500 industry luminaries. Highlights include Pixar’s 'Up' at number 50, Alfonso Cuarón’s 'Roma' at 46, Quentin Tarantino's 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' at 44, and Christopher Nolan’s 'The Dark Knight' at 28. The top 10 features modern classics like

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00:18:45

Ep 241: NYT’s Top 100 Movies of the 21st Century...

Midday Movies ·

2025/07/17

In this episode of 'Midday Movies,' hosts Laura and Stephen delve into the New York Times' list of the best movies of the 21st century. They discuss the first half of the list, films ranked from 100 to 51, sharing their opinions and insights about each selection. Titles discussed include 'Superbad,' 'Black Panther,' 'Gravity,' 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' and many more. They also touch on the selection process, which involved polling 500 of the most influential actors and directors. The hosts invite

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00:37:21

Ep 240: Analyzing “Heathers” (1989, Dir. Michael...

Midday Movies ·

2025/07/15

In this episode of 'Midday Movies', hosts Laura and Stephen dive into the 1989 cult classic 'Heathers,' starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. They explore its enduring influence on teen comedies like 'Clueless', 'Mean Girls', and 'Jawbreaker', the dark, Kubrickian portrayal of high school dynamics, and its thematically rich dialogue by Daniel Waters. Including key discussions on the film’s depiction of teenage violence, societal critique, and its fascinating characters, the hosts look at

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00:42:09

Ep 239: Reviewing “Jaws” (1975, dir. Steven...

Midday Movies ·

2025/07/10

In this episode of 'Midday Movies,' hosts Laura and Stephen celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic summer blockbuster 'Jaws,' directed by Steven Spielberg and scored by John Williams. They delve into fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, including Spielberg's early career (and his break-in at the Universal Studios lot) and the logistical challenges of filming with a malfunctioning mechanical shark named Bruce. The discussion covers the cultural impact of 'Jaws,' the dynamic between cast

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00:23:22

Ep 238: Ranking All the “Alien” Movies From Best to...

Midday Movies ·

2025/07/08

In this episode, Shea (of the Rainy Day Rabbit Holes Podcast), Laura, and Stephen gather to passionately discuss and rank their favorite and least favorite movies from the Alien franchise. From the 1979 original 'Alien' to the more recent 'Alien Romulus,' they dive into the elements that make each film unique. They also touch on the character development, special effects, and the overall impact of each movie on the franchise. The conversation extends to 'Aliens,' 'Prometheus,' and 'Alien: Covenant,'

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00:50:46

Ep 237: Is “Alien vs. Predator” (2004, dir. Paul W.S....

Midday Movies ·

2025/07/03

In this episode of “Midday Movies,” hosts Laura, Stephen, and guest Jason from the 'Rainy Day Rabbit Holes' podcast delve into “Alien vs. Predator” (AvP, 2004). They discuss the film's setting in an Antarctic pyramid, the characters including Alexa Woods and Charles Bishop Weyland, the intriguing crossover of iconic extraterrestrial creatures, and the themes of camaraderie and conflict. Conversations also touch upon the influences of director Paul W.S. Anderson, the complexities of predator and

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00:41:37

Ep 236: Revisiting “Alien: Resurrection” (1997, dir....

Midday Movies ·

2025/07/01

In this episode of 'Midday Movies,' hosts Laura and Stephen, joined by guest Jason from the 'Rainy Day Rabbit Holes' podcast, dive into “Alien Resurrection,” (1997) the final entry in the original Ripley quadrilogy. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (“Delicatessen”, “Amelie”) and written by Joss Whedon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Firefly”), the film is praised for its unique characters, production design, and distinct 90s genre tropes. The discussion covers the movie's memorable scenes, competent

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302 results

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