Episode 378: “Gladiator II” with Kevin Avery

Today we are looking at the 2024 film, Nightbitch, directed by Marielle Heller, based on the 2021 novel by Rachel Yoder of the same name, starring Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, and beautiful pack of pooches. Plus we are looking at other films that portray motherhood in a more complicated light. Writer and director, Mo Perkins, joins us.What’s Good:Alonso - Going to Wawa for the first time!Mo - Klara and the Sun by Kazuo IshiguroDrea - Being on BlueskyThis Week's ITIDICs:1. Even After ‘Kraven the Hunter’ and ‘Madame Web,’ Sony’s Marvel Movies Aren’t Dead (EXCLUSIVE)2. Zoe Saldaña Feels Actors Who Use CGI for Roles Are Often Overlooked for Awards3. Anne Hathaway Is ‘Desperate’ to Star in a Christmas Movie: ‘That’s a Weird Bucket List Thing’ Christmas Movie Minute:ChrismessFollowing Yonder StarSugar PlumThe Santa ClassStaff Picks:Alonso - The BrutalistMo - My Old AssDrea - Holiday In HandcuffsPlugs!Come see Alonso intro Carol and sign books at the American Cinematheque THIS SUNDAY (December 22nd, at 7pm in Los Angeles)! Come see Holiday Hornyfest: A Good Day to Be Black & Sexy hosted by Ify! Today, December 13th at Vidiots in Los Angeles!Come see Holiday Hornyfest: Shortbus hosted by Ify, December 21st at Vidiots in Los Angeles!Come see Holiday Hornyfest: Bound hosted by Ify, December 28th at Vidiots in Los Angeles!Come see Holiday Hornyfest: Magic Mike XXL hosted by Ify, December 30th at Vidiots in Los Angeles!Have Yourself A Movie Little ChristmasI’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies  Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Today we’re looking at the 2024 period drama, Queer, directed by Luca Guadagnino, starring Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey, based on the 1985 novella by William S. Burroughs of the same name. Plus, we are looking at other straight action stars who have portrayed queer characters on screen. Senior Culture Writer for Newsweek, H. Alan Scott, joins us.What’s Good:Alonso - A City Full of Hawks by Stephen RebelloDrea - Slow Dance by Rainbow RowellH. Alan - HashbrownsIfy - Hating Spirit AirlinesThis Week's ITIDICs:82nd annual Golden Globes Announced!The Best Movies of 2024, According to John WatersOlivia Wilde Talks Choosing Art Over Audience Approval: “I Don’t Make Movies So People Love Them”Christmas Movie Minute:Seasons Greetings From Cherry LaneChristmas On CallThat ChristmasThe Holiday ClubStaff Picks:Alonso - Kraven the HunterDrea - September 5H.Alan - The BirdcageIfy - Holiday Hornyfest at Vidiots this month! See links below to every screening!Plugs!Come see Holiday Hornyfest: A Good Day to Be Black & Sexy hosted by Ify! Today, December 13th at Vidiots in Los Angeles!Come see Holiday Hornyfest: Shortbus hosted by Ify, December 21st at Vidiots in Los Angeles!Come see Holiday Hornyfest: Bound hosted by Ify, December 28th at Vidiots in Los Angeles!Come see Holiday Hornyfest: Magic Mike XXL hosted by Ify, December 30th at Vidiots in Los Angeles!Have Yourself A Movie Little ChristmasI’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies  Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Today we are looking at 2024’s hit musical movie adaptation, Wicked: Part I, directed by Jon M. Chu, starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum. Plus we hear from the listener looking for movie recs while they recover from surgery. Author Paul Miles Schneider (The Silver Shoes trilogy) joins us.What’s Good:Alonso - BFI Classic’s 3 Women by Justin WyattDrea - Spirit Awards 2024 nominationsPaul - Thanksgiving up in the Pacific NorthwestIfy - Thanksgiving meal (Al Pastor Turkey)This Week's ITIDICs:1. Thanksgiving Box Office Record: ‘Moana 2’ Scores Dazzling $225 Million Debut, ‘Wicked’ Adds Huge $118 Million2.  Sebastian Stan’s Variety ‘Actors on Actors’ Halted Because No Other Talent Wants to Talk About Trump3. ‘Wolfs’ Director Jon Watts Tells Apple: No Sequel, I Don’t Trust YouChristmas Movie Minute:Holiday TouchdownTo Have & To HolidayChristmas Under The LightsA 90s ChristmasDeck The WallsStaff Picks:Alonso - The Gathering (1977)Drea - Hard TruthsPaul - Miracle of Marcelino (in Spanish)Ify - The WizPlugs!Get the Silver Shoes trilogy from Paul Miles Schneider!Los Angeles! Come see Alonso, this Saturday, December 7th at Vidiots doing a book signing and introducing the Hitchcock film, Rope, at 4:15pm!Have Yourself A Movie Little ChristmasI’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

We are looking at 2024’s Gladiator II, a sequel to the original 2000 film, also directed by Ridley Scott. It stars Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen. Plus we look at the Top Turkeys of 2024 and our favorite Legacy Sequels. Writer and comedian, Kevin Avery (The Great North, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver), joins us.What’s Good:Alonso - Disco: Music, Movies, and Mania under the Mirror Ball by Frank DecaroDrea - Embracing sneakersKevin - Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam HigginbothamIfy - Kendrick Lamar’s new album, GNXChristmas Movie Minute:Saint Nick of BethlehemA Novel NoelUnwrapping Christmas: Lily's DestinyMistletoe MurdersChristmas in the SpotlightStaff Picks:Alonso - NutcrackersDrea - Maria/Maria by CallasKevin - Crimson TideIfy - Red One Plugs!Have Yourself A Movie Little ChristmasI’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

We are looking at the 2024 Netflix adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning August Wilson play, The Piano Lesson, directed by Malcolm Washington, starring John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, Ray Fisher, and Samuel L. Jackson. Plus we take a music-movie quiz written by Steven Ray Morris. Emmy-winning film and television producer, Shelby Stone, joins us.What’s Good:Drea - Celebrity Look Alike CompetitionsShelby - Not Snowing or Freezing on the East Coast/Her petsAlonso - A Season for Soft Foods (A can of Campbells’ Cream of Chicken Soup)ITIDIC:1. Several high-profile filmmakers pull their films out of Poland’s Camerimage Film Festival following a Misogynist op-ed written by the festival’s founder and head Marek Żydowicz.- https://deadline.com/2024/11/coralie-fargeat-the-substance-camerimage-marek-zydowicz-women-cinematographers-1236178278/- https://www.thewrap.com/camerimage-festival-jury-we-wholeheartedly-support-gender-inclusivity/- https://deadline.com/2024/11/steve-mcqueen-blitz-camerimage-film-festival-2024-marek-zydowicz-female-cinematographers-1236174179/2. Anna Kendrick Felt ‘Gross’ Making Money Off ‘Woman of the Hour,’ Donated All Her Pay to Anti-Violence Charities: ‘Felt Like the Least I Could Do’3. Pop-Loving Beauty Brand E.l.f. Cosmetics Launches Production ArmChristmas Movie Minute:Festival of TreesTis the Season to be IrishChristmas with the SinghsJingle Bell RunConfessions of a Christmas LetterHot FrostyStaff Picks:Drea - FlowShelby - NightbitchAlonso - Carnage for ChristmasPlugs!Have Yourself A Movie Little ChristmasI’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

We are taking a look at A24’s 2024 spiritual horror film, Heretic, starring Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East about two Mormon missionaries whose faith is tested by a seemingly awkward, but polite man. Plus we look at more movies about playing games. Oh No, Ross and Carrie's Ross Blocher joins us.What’s Good:Alonso - Direct action and act locallyDrea - SKINCARE (medicube collagen overnight wrap and peel facial mask pack!)Ross - Moana 2Ify - Flyover Comedy Festival in St. Louis this weekend!ITIDIC:1. ‘Wicked’ Dolls: Mattel Apologizes for Mistakenly Linking to Adult Porn Site on Packaging2. Mubi Cancels Turkish Film Festival Over Istanbul City Hall ‘Queer’ Ban3. Sean Baker Says the Fight for Theatrical Before Streaming Is Now a Permanent BattleChristmas Movie Minute:Red OneFive Golden RingsSanta Tell MeHolidazed (series)Unwrapping ChristmasMistletoe MurdersStaff Picks:Drea - ConclaveAlonso - Meet Me Next ChristmasRoss - Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most FowlIfy - SLC PunkPlugs!Oh No, Ross And Carrie on Facebook!Have Yourself A Movie Little ChristmasI’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

We are taking a look at the new Steve McQueen film Blitz, the 2024 historical war drama starring Saoirse Ronan as Rita, a single mother, working in a bomb factory, and introducing Elliot Heffernan as her son, George. Plus we look at other films where characters go on a journey to find their way home again.What’s Good:Alonso - Phyllis theme songDrea - “John” sign, NYC marathonIfy - Landmark Theatres  ITIDIC:1. Jennifer Lopez & Anthony Ramos Mattel Animated Movie ‘Bob The Builder’ Heading To Amazon MGM Studios – The Dish2. China’s Hishow Acquires ‘Megalopolis’; Ramps Up Slate Of Prestige Festival Titles For China Release3. Hallmark Holiday Stars Won’t Be Ignored by Hollywood Anymore: ‘I Treat Each Production Like a Martin Scorsese Film’Christmas Movie Minute:Best Christmas Pageant EverSudden Case of ChristmasMy Sweet Austrian HolidayOur Holiday StoryHoliday MismatchStaff Picks:Alonso - Christmas Eve in Miller's PointDrea - Their Finest/My Old AssIfy -  Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among ThievesPlugs!Have Yourself A Movie Little ChristmasI’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

We are taking a look at Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, Woman of the Hour, the new Netflix movie focusing on the true story about serial killer Rodney Alcala’s 1978 appearance on The Dating Game. Plus we look at other true crime stories dramatized on film. Lucy Fitzgerald from Wine & Crime joins us.What’s Good:Alonso - End of Daylight Savings TimeDrea - Memorizing GeographyLucy - Going to ItalyIfy - Magic-Con ITIDIC:Newsom calls for big boost in funding for California’s film and TV tax credit, throwing Hollywood a lifelineNicole Kidman Says She’s Acting in So Many Projects Because ‘I Can Create Jobs for People’ and Help Newcomers in Hollywood‘Oregon Trail’ Action-Comedy Movie In Development at AppleChristmas Movie Minute:Hallmark MysteryChristmas CharadeFive Year Christmas PartySee You Next ChristmasStaff Picks:Alonso - Chasing Chasing AmyDrea - A Real PainLucy - True Crime Bullshit & Somewhere In The PinesIfy -  Don’t BreathePlugs!Listen to Wine & CrimeHave Yourself A Movie Little ChristmasI’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Anora is a 2024 romantic-comedy (?) written and directed by Sean Baker (Tangerine, The Florida Project), starring Mikey Madison as stripper Anora Mikheeva, and follows her beleaguered romance with Vanya (Mark Eidelstein), the son of a Russian Oligarch. All that and a discussion of other films portraying sex work.What’s Good:Alonso - Christmas Movie Magic: The Game!Drea - A freshly, deep-cleaned fan (Doing the one small thing).Ify - Benadryl and When We Were Young ITIDIC:Alien: Romulus is Bringing Its Terror to VHS in DecemberMeta Teams with Blumhouse to Test Movie Gen AI ToolWho Needs Critics When You Have Influencers?Staff Picks:Alonso - Piece By PieceDrea - Compartment No. 6Ify -  Smile 2Plugs!Come see The Fog and hear Alonso talk about it on October 27th at The Frida Cinema!Have Yourself A Movie Little ChristmasI’ll Be Home For Christmas Movies Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

The Substance is a 2024 body horror film written and directed by French filmmaker Coralie Farageat, starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid. The film follows a recently displaced celebrity who decides to take a secret drug that temporarily creates a younger version of herself with unexpected side effects. All that and a discussion of films that make you squirm. The one and only Katya Zamolodchikova joins us.What’s Good:Alonso - Christmas Movie Ultimate Trivia Book by Neal E. FischerDrea - Friend Trip!Katya - Woman of the HourIfy - Biqtch Puddin Substance drag performanceITIDIC:Dueling Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce-inspired films set to debut this fall on Lifetime and HallmarkHarrison Ford Says Avoiding Marvel Roles is "Silly" When MCU Films Provide "Good Experiences for an Audience," Calls the Death of Movie Stars "Rubbish"Elon Musk accused of copying designs by I, Robot directorStaff Picks:Alonso - BasketcaseDrea - AnoraKatya - Candyman (1992)Ify -  Margaret QualleyPlugs!Go see Katya live in your city (Trixie And Katya Live)!This weekend, see Alonso during the Deck The Hallmark marathon! Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher