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PODCAST

Escapist Cinema

Escapist Cinema

Hello Fellow Escapists! On Escapist Cinema, we talk about the movies we use to escape life for a bit. A good movie takes us somewhere else - into another person, another time or even another world. Most of the films we talk about don"t get a wide release or aren"t well-known, so we hope to introduce you to some new favorites. Grab your favorite movie snack and join us as we escape into movies! Jen and Derek

tv & film after shows

All Episodes

51:12

Escapist Cinema Talks Alien Movies

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/09/25

🚀👽 Out of This World Escapes 🌌🎬 Buckle up, earthlings because we’re phoning home to talk about our favorite movies with aliens! From friendly visitors who just want to go home, to terrifying films that make you rethink who is human, we’re talking about our Top 5 alien movies. (Not Alien movies - just alien movies) Expect laughs, close encounters, and a few probing questions as we talk through our favorites at this moment. Yes, nostalgia played a role in the selections.

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16:44

Escapist Cinema Talks Favorite Movie Locations

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/09/18

✨Welcome to Escapist Cinema Getaways™ — where the passport is popcorn and the destination is pure movie magic.✨ In this episode, we’re flipping through our favorite travel brochure of all time: the movies. We’ll tempt you with dreamy spots you can actually visit (pack sunscreen for this one), and impossible worlds you’ll only find on screen—unless you’re really good at interdimensional travel. From romantic city streets to a Shire that doesn't show up on Google Maps, we’re selling you on the

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20:15

Escapist Cinema Talks War Movies

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/09/11

War. It’s humanity’s oldest bad habit — and cinema’s favorite playground. From muddy trenches on Earth to laser-blasted battlefields on galaxies far, far away, war movies remind us that conflict is as cinematic as it is catastrophic. They can be gritty and grounded, or completely over-the-top with fake planets, fake armies, and very real explosions. Let's march straight into the chaos and count down Jen and Derek's Top 5 War Movies. Grab your helmet, your popcorn, and maybe a stiff drink… because in

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32:29

Escapist Cinema Talks 90s Movies

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/09/04

Grab your flannel, fire up the dial-up, and let’s rewind to the 90s. In this episode, we dive into the movies that defined the decade for us — whether they were VHS staples, sleepover classics, or the films that shaped our love of cinema (and may have fucked with our heads a bit). From cult comedies to unforgettable dramas, we’re celebrating the weird, the nostalgic, and the downright iconic. Note: Jen knows it's Richard Gere, but she forgot in the moment

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26:00

Escapist Cinema talks Dystopian Films

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/08/28

Jen & Derek talk through their Top 5 Dystopian Films! The 10 (well, technically nine) movies portray various types of dystopia on Earth. Each hosts ranks their personal Top 5 - valid only at the time of recording. We reserve the right to change our minds as often as needed. Tune in for great recommendations and join us in the movie bunker when dystopia strikes.

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25:34

Escapist Cinema Watched Hot Rod

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/08/21

Hot Rod 2007 Andy Samberg straps onto a moped like it’s the final frontier of stunt work and proclaims, “Cool beans!” with the most dramatic flair possible. Hot Rod is a misadventure where amateur stuntman Rod Kimble (Samberg) embarks on the world’s sketchiest DIY mission: raising money for his stepfather Frank’s heart surgery—so he can literally beat him up and earn some respect. It’s like Jackass crashed into Napoleon Dynamite, and out fell a surreal, slapstick egg of pure absurdity. Directed

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30:13

Escapist Cinema Watched Saint Maud

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/08/14

Saint Maud, 2017, A24 & MGM St. Maud is a tense, unsettling character study about a deeply devout hospice nurse whose new patient—a once-famous dancer now facing the end of her life—stirs an intense and troubling spiritual mission. As Maud’s faith becomes more fervent, her reality begins to blur, leading to a haunting exploration of loneliness, purpose, and devotion. It’s quiet, intimate, and unnervingly psychological, leaving you unsure of where faith ends and obsession begins. Production budget of

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36:12

Escapist Cinema Watched Arthur (1981)

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/08/07

Arthur (1981) Meet Arthur Bach: a filthy-rich, perpetually drunk man-child with a heart of gold and zero responsibility. He lives in a penthouse, bathes in champagne (probably), and is supposed to marry a wealthy heiress to keep his inheritance. There’s just one problem: he falls head over heels for a quirky waitress from Queens who’s as broke as she is charming. Now Arthur must choose between a billion-dollar bank account and actual happiness—assuming he can stay sober long enough to figure it out

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25:24

Escapist Cinema Watched The Pagemaster

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/07/31

The Pagemaster (1994) Once upon a thunderstorm, a timid boy named Richard Tyler—armed with statistics, safety gear, and zero imagination—takes shelter in a strange, creaky library. But this is no ordinary library… oh no. It’s the gateway to a magical, swirling world of adventure where books talk, dragons breathe fire, and pirates don’t ask nicely. After slipping (literally) into a realm of animation and enchantment, Richard is joined by three wildly lovable book characters: Adventure, a

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30:04

Escapist Cinema Watched Past Lives

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/07/24

Past Lives (2023) - a quiet, soul-stirring meditation on love, timing, and the people we might have been. Written and Directed by Celine Song Nora (Na Young) played by Greta Lee Hae Sung played by Teo Yoo Arthur played by John Magaro At its heart, it’s about two childhood friends whose bond spans continents, decades, and the blurry space between what’s real and what’s imagined. As their lives unfold separately, they circle back to each other - never quite aligned, never quite letting go. The film

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23:46

Escapist Cinema Watched Brigsby Bear

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/07/17

Brigsby Bear (2017) In this episode, we explore Brigsby Bear, a truly one-of-a-kind film that blends offbeat humor with raw emotional honesty. What begins with an absurd premise unfolds into a touching story about creativity, healing, and how we define family. It’s about finding your place in a world that doesn’t make sense - and making something beautiful anyway. Whether you’re drawn to eccentric characters or heartfelt storytelling, this movie has a way of sneaking up on you - and staying with

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35:42

Escapist Cinema Watched High Fidelity

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/07/10

High Fidelity (2000) This week, we spin the record back to High Fidelity, a music-soaked journey through love, heartbreak, and the messy work of growing up. With a killer soundtrack and sharp humor, the film follows a record store owner stuck in his own loop—until he starts to face the role he plays in his own stories. It’s about more than romance; it’s about becoming a better version of yourself, one track at a time.

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37:24

Escapist Cinema Watched Pearl

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/07/03

Pearl (2022) This unsettling, Technicolor fever dream dives into the early life of a young woman yearning for something bigger than her family’s isolated farm can offer. Set in 1918, Pearl blends vintage Hollywood style with psychological horror, exploring ambition, repression, and what happens when dreams curdle into desperation. Mia Goth delivers a hauntingly layered performance in this bold and beautifully deranged character study. Directed by Ty West

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37:05

EC 108 Onyx The Fortuitous...

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/06/26

Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls This week, Derek brings a true wildcard to the table: Onyx the Fortuitous, a bizarre horror-comedy that blends low-budget charm with over-the-top eccentricity. We talk about how this passion-project was made, that it's oddly endearing, and why it’s unlike anything else out there. While it may lose its footing here and there, Onyx still manages to deliver unexpected laughs and a whole lot of heart. Join us as we unpack this cult-ready oddity and debate

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28:47

Escapist Cinema Researched The VVitch

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/06/19

Last week, Jen and Derek watched Robert Eggers' 2015 film, The VVitch and talked about their initial reactions. It was Derek's first viewing and Jen's fifth, but neither were done talking about this great movie and wanted to take a deeper dive. In this episode, they talk about the lighting, the directing, themes and more. Join Jen & Derek for a deeper dive into the struggles of a secluded family in New England in 1630.

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35:18

Escapist Cinema Watched The VVitch

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/06/12

The VVitch 2015 Directed by Robert Eggers Synopsis Evil takes many forms. In 1630, a farmer relocates his family to a remote plot of land on the edge of a forest where strange, unsettling things happen. With suspicion and paranoia mounting, each family member’s faith, loyalty and love are tested in shocking ways.

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01:34

Escapist Cinema has an Update!

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/06/10

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01:06:04

EC 103 Green Room 06 04 2025

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/06/05

A punk rock band is forced to fight for survival after witnessing an act of violence at a skinhead bar. 2015 Produced by A24 https://letterboxd.com/film/green-room/details/

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32:34

Escapist Cinema Watched Strange Darling

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/05/29

In the first episode of Escapist Cinema, Jen and Derek talk about one of their favorite movies - Strange Darling. This cat-and-mouse movie weaves through the story of what happens when Demon and Lady have a one-night stand. Spoiler Alert: We recommend watching Strange Darling before listening!

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34:19

Escapist Cinema Watched Horse Girl

Escapist Cinema ·

2025/05/29

In this episode of Escapist Cinema, Jen and Derek talk about an under-appreciated Netflix movie - Horse Girl. Whatever you just imagined is likely nothing like this film! It's quirky, odd and well-acted. A socially awkward woman (Alison Brie) with a fondness for arts and crafts, horses, and supernatural crime shows finds her increasingly lucid dreams trickling into her waking life. Is this her reality or a decrease in sanity?

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