175. Alien (w/ Sarah Welch-Larson)

We sit down with Max Evry (author of the new book, Stranded on Earth: How Night Skies Became E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial) to discuss Tobe Hooper's 1982 Poltergeist. We talk about the genesis of the project, how it speaks to childhood / middle-aged fears, its narrative turns, and whether we'd go straight to the parapsychologists in this situation... Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Just in time for HALLOWEEN, we sit down with friend Edward Lewis to revisit John Carpenter's 1978 classic. We discuss boogeymen, parental anxieties, fate, middle class rot, and the trio of Loomis, Laurie Strode, and Michael Myers. Sharpen your butcher knife, put on a ghost costume, and join us!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

We sit down with Sarah Welch-Larson, author of Becoming Alien, and frequent contributor to Bright Wall / Dark Room, to discuss Ridley Scott's ALIEN. Evil, alienation, violations, organic mechanization, corporate dehumanization... and also, aliens, yes... aliens!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

We journey up river with Roxana Hadadi (New York Magazine and Vulture) to explore Martin Scorsese's 1991 film, CAPE FEAR! We explore how the film portrays the crumbling of American middle class institutions -- family, religion, law -- from the inside, the experiences of adolescent and middle aged women in this system, fear and desire, and of course masculinity. Come get some TATToos with us!!Cows merch available hereAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

We are joined by many time guest Emily St. James (Yellowjackets) to discuss Frank Darabont's modern Capra film about hope, defiance, cosmic injustice, Stephen King, prison, freedom, and more! Is it crazy to like Forrest Gump more than this film? Look, you probably think that's crazy, but don't let that stop you from tuning in!Preorder Emily's new book Every Time a Bell Rings!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

We are talking Safdies with Andrew Overbye (The Authorized Novelizations Podcast)! We discuss risking it all to have it all, capitalism, addiction highs and lows, five-way parlays, striving, the Sandman, and much more! In the gem, one can see the universe!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

We sit down with MIT philosopher Tushar Menon to discuss Looper. Does its time travel make sense? What questions does it raise about identity, regret, parenting, and cycles of violence? Would your younger self hate you now? Tune in to find out!Visit cowspod.com for all our episodes and merch and other silly stuff!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

We discuss Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey with Bilge Ebiri (New York Magazine / Vulture)! We discuss Nolan's sympathetic Odysseus, a man out of time, burdened by guilt and shame, but also a herald of a new age of science and reason. We consider how Nolan made one of the oldest and grandest stories into a deeply personal one, which provides a lens through which we can revisit his entire filmography. We respond to criticisms of the film and explore ways in which it left us wanting more. Join us and rejoice in cinema!!Follow us at cowspod.com and buy t-shirts and more at shop.cowspod.com! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Put on your dancin' shoes, it's time to discuss Billy Elliot with Aaron Meskin (Philosophy, U. of Georgia)! We discuss dance movies, dancing, how the film melds British working class drama with fantastical, nondiegetic dance numbers, how conformity perpetuates class structures, how the film portrays masculinity and dance, and more! Did you enjoy the episode? Leave us a review on your podcast app of choice! Do you like to boogie? Reach out to us at [email protected]!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Join us and Bar Luzon (Philosophy, MIT) to discuss Celine Song's film PAST LIVES. We talk about immigration, love, irresistible freely chosen love, imagination and narrative in self understanding, counterfactual thinking, and never going home... Check out all our episodes at cowspod.com and buy a cow-branded shirt at shop.cowspod.com!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands