Episode 366: 'Blink Twice' with Amber Benson

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

Joker: Folie à Deux is the 2024 follow-up to 2019’s Joker. Directed again by Todd Phillips (of The Hangover fame originally), it stars Joaquin Phoenix (reprising the Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck), joined by musician-turned-actor Lady Gaga, playing the iconic comic book character Lee Quinzel aka Harley Quinn. All that and discussion of other musical moments in “none-musicals.”What’s Good:Alonso - Sally Field gets real.Drea - LA Voterguide 2024Ify - Corn telethon to fight Project 2025 ITIDIC:Airline apologises after R-rated Dakota Johnson film played to all passengersToxic Fandom: How Hollywood Is Battling Fans Who Are ‘Just Out for Blood’ — From Social Media Boot Camps to Superfan Focus GroupsDisney’s ‘Princess Diaries 3’ Gets Royal Treatment, Sets Adele Lim As DirectorStaff Picks:Alonso - Terrifier 3Drea - Casa Bonita Mi AmorIfy - Chicago (2002)Plugs!Purchase Corpses, Fools and MonstersThe History and Future of Transness in Cinema Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Will & Harper is a 2024 American documentary film directed by Josh Greenbaum and follows Will Ferrell and Harper Steele as the duo made a 17-day road trip across the United States discussing Harper’s transition, and their friendship. All that and discussion of other iconic friendships in cinema. Film Critic and Essayist, Willow Maclay joins us!What’s Good:Alonso - Texas State FairDrea - Free Covid testsWillow - Spooky double features at The Brattle on October 8th and 9thIfy - Wasteland FestivalITIDIC:James Cameron Joins Board of Stability AI in Coup for Tech FirmSAG-AFTRA Launches Bid to Organize Intimacy CoordinatorsLionsgate Offering Employees Voluntary Severance Amid “Disrupted Business Environment” Staff Picks:Alonso - Tea With The DamesDrea - It's What's InsideWillow - The Silence of The LambsIfy - The SubstancePlugs!Purchase Corpses, Fools and MonstersThe History and Future of Transness in Cinema Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

After undergoing facial-reconstructive surgery, Edward becomes fixated on an actor in a stage production based on his former life. That’s the setup for A Different Man starring Sebastian Stan, written and directed by Aaron Schimberg. All that and a discussion of best plays-within-films from movie history. Writer and film critic Kristen Lopez joins us! What’s Good:Alonso - Kelly Bishop, The Third Gilmore GirlDrea - zackfox.comKristen - finally ready to start Spooky SeasonIfy - Ranting for a good cause (fundraising for Ysabel Jorado campaign) ITIDIC:Major Cineplexes Plan $2 Billion UpgradeMagic: the Gathering Animated Series Hits the Restart Button with New ShowrunnerSaiorse Ronan Could Make Oscar HistoryStaff Picks:Alonso - In the SummersDrea - Rez BallKristen - The Wild RobotIfy - The Substance kristenklopez.comTicklish BusinessPlugs!See In The SummersWatch Rez BallWatch Hollywood BlackWatch The Mirror GameSee Alonso in Dallas with The Last of Sheila (9/26)Watch Drea’s A New York StoryFollow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram  Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

An 18 year old scores a phone number...for herself at 39. That's the soft sci-fi hook of Megan Park's second movie, a coming of age story that is very much of this era, even if it has its eyes on the future. All that and a discussion of best and worst older/younger character casting choices. Plus, big life news from Producer Marissa, who joins in as an all-episode guest this time around.What’s GoodAlonso - Agatha All AlongDrea - Moo Dang the baby pygmy hippo in ThailandMarissa - English TeacherIfy - painting Warhammer guys and thinkingITIDICSundance Narrows Down Its List of Potential Venues to 3 CitiesTyler the Creator Making His Movie Debut in Josh Safdie’s A24 Table Tennis MovieStaff PicksDrea - His Three DaughtersAlonso - SecondsMarissa - Between the TemplesIfy - Freaky Friday (2003)Plugs!Listen to Feeling SeenWatch The Mirror GameListen to Sweet Valley DiariesSee Alonso in Dallas with The Last of Sheila (9/26)Watch Drea's A New York Story Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

We go into a whole song and dance this week over Tim Burton's new BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE,. with Riley Silverman as our special guest. Then we'll remember (and suggest) some movies that made/would make for pretty bizarre Saturday Morning cartoons.What’s GoodAlonso - Big Ice Cubes™Drea - Ross Taylor’s NYC exhibit, A knowing HistoryRiley - Reading streakIfy - Chris Tucker’s protection of his carITIDICa.) Almodovar’s Latest Wins the Golden Lionb). Happy Gilmore 2 is “Officially In Production”c). James Earl Jones Passes Away at 93Staff PicksDrea - ROBOT DREAMSAlonso - CLOSE YOUR EYESRiley - ELEMENTALIfy - SCREAM  Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher

Naomi Ackie and Channing Tatum lead an ensemble cast of blissful (and, for a while, blissfully unaware) island-timers in mind- and genre-bending new movie BLINK TWICE.  Amber Benson (filmmaker, writer, and actor) joins us to uncover the secrets of Slater King’s mysterious island. Then we do a movie quiz about actors who’ve dabbled (and then some) in directing.What’s GoodAlonso - general food quality in Italy/EuropeDrea - the Paralympics (and the release of A New York Story!)Amber - pugsIfy - traveling to London for his show at Leicester Square TheatreITIDICTikTok May Be Driving More Folks to TheatersCalifornia Senate Passes a Law Requiring Consent for AI Replicas of Deceased ActorsStaff PicksAlonso - Lover of MenDrea - Rebel Ridge (and A New York Story!)Amber - The Last of SheilaIfy - Skywalkers: A Love StorySlayers: A Buffyverse Story on Audible Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, or InstagramWithDrea ClarkAlonso DuraldeIfy NwadiweProduced by Marissa FlaxbartSr. Producer Laura Swisher