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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

00:27:43

Ep 231: Reviewing “Grave of the Fireflies” (1988,...

Midday Movies ·

2025/06/10

In this episode of ‘Midday Movies,’ hosts Laura and Stephen discuss Studio Ghibli's emotionally potent film ‘Grave of the Fireflies,’ directed by Isao Takahata and based on the acclaimed book of the same name. The film tells the harrowing tale of two children, Seita (voiced by Tsutomu Tatsumi) and Setsuko (Ayano Shiraishi), struggling to survive in Japan during the final days of World War II. Despite being an animated film, ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ is an unflinching portrayal of war's human cost

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00:26:50

🎙️Guest Episode🎙️Dark History: “Resonance of Dunkirk:...

Midday Movies ·

2025/06/05

Today we’re hosting an episode by our friend and fellow Umbrella Podcast Collective member, Rob Bradley’s “Dark History” Podcast!As the stocky and robustly built man determinedly strode into the Houses of Parliament on June 4th, 1940, an unusual hush fell over the chamber. Front and backbenchers alike waited with bated breath as his piercing blue eyes scanned the room with unyielding intensity. Clad in his iconic dark suit, bow tie, and round spectacles, he took a drag from his famous cigar and

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00:24:18

Ep 230: Reviewing “In The Mood For Love” (2000) Wong...

Midday Movies ·

2025/06/03

Today we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Wong Kar-Wai’s masterpiece of doomed romance, “In the Mood for Love” (2000). An instant classic following its premiere at Cannes, “In the Mood for Love” is the story of Mrs. Chan (Maggie Cheung) and Mr. Chow (Tony Leung Chiu-wai), two married Hong Kong residents in the early 1960s whose spouses are having an affair with each other. Experimental, nonlinear, and ultimately tragic, this film is about a fractious relationship that mirrors the fractious

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00:28:23

🎙️Guest Episode🎙️ Rainy Day Rabbit Holes: “Geronimo!...

Midday Movies ·

2025/05/29

Today we’re hosting an episode by our friends and fellow Umbrella Podcast Collective members, “History Unhinged: Rainy Day Rabbit Holes.” Enjoy!What do you do when beavers become a problem? If you're Idaho in the 1940s—you toss 'em out of airplanes, obviously.In one of the most bizarre (and oddly effective) wildlife relocation plans in American history, Idaho officials came up with a truly unhinged solution: strap parachutes to live beavers and drop them from the sky into the backcountry. In this

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00:38:54

Ep 229: Reviewing “Prometheus” (2012) with Kevin Ryan...

Midday Movies ·

2025/05/27

Today we’re discussing the 1st installment of the “Alien” franchise to release in the 21st century, “Prometheus.” We are joined in this analysis by Kevin Ryan (@kevryanperson), host of the “Tyrant in Training” podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/4POuXgP73XZkA2hKnPHgGs) (@tyrantpodcast), a weekly series where guest comedians and podcasters come on to build their own autocratic empire. Here, we will be talking about the controversial “Alien” film that features lofty early Weyland corporation

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00:23:09

Ep 228: Reviewing “Another Simple Favor” (2025, dir....

Midday Movies ·

2025/05/22

Today we’re discussing the sequel to the 2018 cult classic, “A Simple Favor,” namely, “Another Simple Favor” (2025). Once again directed by Paul Feig — “the nicest guy in Hollywood” — but this time, instead of taking us through a high-tone suburban noir, we are taken on an international adventure in Capri — where Emily (Blake Lively) is having the wedding of the century arm-in-arm with the Scion of a powerful Italian family (very romance novel of her). Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) once again plays

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00:40:54

Ep 227: Reviewing “Alien” (1979) with Bryon Kershaw...

Midday Movies ·

2025/05/20

Today we are discussing the iconic 1979 sci-fi masterpiece “Alien” and we are joined by game master Bryon Kershaw of “Spirits and Monsters of Old Seattle” (https://www.spiritsandmonsters.com/) — an actual play RPG podcast that takes place in a supernatural 1800s Seattle, WA. Here we will be talking about the unique atmospheric horror, the cinematic influences on, and the wacky 1970s production stories from the original “Aliens” film. Xenomorphs abound — so let’s get into it!And look forward to our

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00:32:38

Ep 226: All About “You” (Netflix series, 2025)

Midday Movies ·

2025/05/15

Today we’re discussing the final season finale of the critically acclaimed and audience-obsessed Netflix series, “You” (2018-2025). Starring Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg, lover of literature, women, and murder, “You” is a romantic crime drama that has occupied the rarefied worlds of New York society, Los Angeles elites, Silicon Valley technocrats, and London’s landed gentry — all with a new love story to follow each season. We talk about toxic patterns, erotomania, and the Joe-ness within all of us

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00:35:36

Ep 225: Reviewing “Godzilla Minus One” (2023, dir....

Midday Movies ·

2025/05/13

Today we’re discussing a film that has been widely requested by listeners, “Godzilla Minus One” (2023, dir. Takashi Yamazaki). A Godzilla movie that is also a historical drama, “Godzilla Minus One” follows a Japanese kamikaze soldier (Ryûnosuke Kamiki) plagued by survivor’s guilt and attempting to rebuild a life in the rubble of World War 2 Japan. With found family and fierce friends, this soldier navigates both the disruptive echoes of PTSD and repeated brushes with a nuclear-powered Godzilla —

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00:25:55

Ep 224: Reviewing “Until Dawn” (2025) the Film, the...

Midday Movies ·

2025/05/08

WELCOME TO SEASON 2 of MIDDAY MOVIESToday we’re discussing the PlayStation video game-turned-film from the team that brought you the Annabelle series, “Until Dawn” (2025, dir. David F. Sandberg). Utilizing time loops and folkloric horror tropes, “Until Dawn” follows a group of five friends on a road trip to find one friend’s missing sister. When a storm traps them in the spooky Welcome Center of the mysterious region, Glore Valley, these friends must fight monsters within and without — all in an

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00:26:06

Ep 223: Reviewing “Black Mirror” (Netflix, 2025) An...

Midday Movies ·

2025/05/06

WELCOME TO SEASON 2 of MIDDAY MOVIESToday we are discussing the new 6-episode season of “Black Mirror” (Netflix series, Season 7). Charlie Brooker’s masterpiece anthology of dystopian technology returns with episodes “Common People,” “Bete Noire,” “Hotel Reverie,” “Plaything,” “Eulogy,” and “USS Callister: Into Infinity.” We’re sharing episode-by-episode takeaways— which are easy watches, sentimental favorites, and which will shred your soul. As always, this season is an exploration of vast imagined

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00:36:27

Ep 222: Reviewing “Sinners” (2025) Delta Blues, Jim...

Midday Movies ·

2025/05/01

WELCOME TO SEASON 2 of MIDDAY MOVIESToday we are discussing the recently released horror-musical extravaganza, “Sinners” (2025). Written and directed by the acclaimed Ryan Coogler and starring not one but two Michael B Jordans as twins (Smoke & Stack) returning to their Mississippi hometown after years of working in Chicago with Al Capone. This is 1932 in the Mississippi Delta and the twins aim to open a juke joint with their musically gifted cousin and other close associates from their past — that

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00:21:17

Ep 221: “One of Them Days” (2025) is a Buddy Comedy...

Midday Movies ·

2025/04/29

WELCOME TO SEASON 2 of MIDDAY MOVIESToday we’re discussing the 2025 buddy comedy made in the vein of classic comedies like “Friday” — namely, “One of Them Days” (now streaming on Netflix). Starring Keke Palmer and SZA as best friends who must scrounge together rent money by the end of the day as well as make it to a life-changing interview for one of the protagonists, this film is a series of comic misadventures and incredible characters. Featuring distinctly LA culture and comedy icon Kat Williams

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00:26:40

Ep 220: “A Minecraft Movie” (2025) is the Video Game...

Midday Movies ·

2025/04/24

WELCOME TO SEASON 2 of MIDDAY MOVIESToday we’re discussing the wildly successful and influential, “A Minecraft Movie” (2025). Based on the best-selling game of all time and starring cultural icons Jack Black and Jason Mamoa, this movie has connected to adolescent audiences in a fashion that is both TikTok viral and unquestionably sincere. Here we share notable elements of the film as well as harrowing stories of the audience experience. Why is this movie a one-of-a-kind cultural moment? Let’s get

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00:37:00

Ep 219: “Adolescence” (Netflix, 2025) and the...

Midday Movies ·

2025/04/22

WELCOME TO SEASON 2 of MIDDAY MOVIESToday we’re discussing the Netflix top-watched limited series, “Adolescence” (2025). Following the fallout of a shocking adolescent crime, audiences are taken through police procedures, educationally institutions, and telling family dynamics that generate a pressure cooker around early adolescence. A brilliant example of British prestige television, this 4-episode miniseries asks important, timely questions about the influences on children growing up in a digital

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00:06:03

Mini Ep 4: “Marvel Rivals” (Video Game Review)

Midday Movies ·

2025/04/17

WELCOME TO SEASON 2 of MIDDAY MOVIESOn today’s special mini episode we’re discussing the Marvel video game, “Marvel Rivals” — a free-to-player shooter game that is available on all platforms. We talk characters, mechanics, and whether the Hulk can be killed, and by whom. Spend a few minutes with us and the Overwatch-style video game that seems to have replaced Overwatch in popularity. Pick your favorite hero!We want to know what you think about our podcast! Let us know in this brief survey

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00:25:56

Ep 218: “Severance” (Apple TV, 2025) Innies, Outies,...

Midday Movies ·

2025/04/15

WELCOME TO SEASON 2 of MIDDAY MOVIESToday we’re discussing the Apple TV series and cultural phenomenon, “Severance” (2022-2025). Directed by Ben Stiller and having just completed its second season run, “Severance” is a mind-bendy TV thriller that follows a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives. Isolated within the walls of the mysterious and powerful Lumon Pharmaceutical Corporation, this team tries to discover the true meaning of

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00:08:57

Mini Ep 3: “Don't Die: The Man Who Wants To Live...

Midday Movies ·

2025/04/10

WELCOME TO SEASON 2 of MIDDAY MOVIESToday we’re presenting you with another Midday Mini! Here, we discuss the quixotic quest of tech millionaire Bryan Johnson, a man obsessed with reversing his biological age. Founder of Braintree and Blueprint, this former Mormon is heading a health-obsessed cult that champions untested methods of extending human lifespan. Is he a visionary? Is he a charlatan? Is he the famed New Orleans vampire Jacques St. Germain? Let’s get into it!We want to know what you think

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00:25:47

Ep 217: “Snow White” and the Two Philosophies of...

Midday Movies ·

2025/04/08

WELCOME TO SEASON 2 of MIDDAY MOVIESToday we’re discussing the Disney live-action remake of the first Disney full-length feature, “Snow White” (2025). Directed by Marc Webb and starring Rachel Zegler alongside Gal Gadot, this modern “Snow White” contains original music, plot updates, and the compelling battle of philosophies between our stalwart princess and the Evil Queen. Expanding the world more than ever before, audiences will discover a war-weary kingdom, a magical forest, and a band of rebels

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00:27:06

Ep 216: “A Complete Unknown” (2024) Exploring...

Midday Movies ·

2025/04/03

WELCOME TO SEASON 2 of MIDDAY MOVIESToday we’re discussing the 2024 Oscar-nominated biopic, “A Complete Unknown.” In it, Bob Dylan is played by Timothee Chalamet as we chart the early rise of Dylan’s career in 1960s New York. An extraordinary time capsule of Cold War highlights, social justice movements, and the American folk music scene, “A Complete Unknown” captures a 1960s that sharply resembles the 2020s. Audiences will thrill at the political tumult, clashing personalities, and beautiful music

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297 results

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