Ratboy has become the metric against which we’ve measured every wild film and our unofficial mascot, and as one last tribute to you and to the fateful Christmas we found our cinematic center, we humbly offer up a Ratboy commentary track as a little post-finale bonus/punishment. Logistical notes: You can listen to this exclusively as an audio track …

“In Japan there is a phrase, owari no bigaku, which means beautiful end” -Kimiko Kasai. For the past 3 years, we have had such fun reporting back on the wild world of cinematic hidden gems. In our final episode, we recount some of the most notable head-scratchers from previous episodes and break down the most on-brand [Storybored-esque?] movies we’…

This All Hallows’ Eve, we bring you the spookiest bone-chillers and boner-chillers from around the world [and underworld]. We serve up another killer original pitch complete with urbane Satanists fundraising for a hellish opera house, and leave you with plenty of recommendations from cozy to ghoulish. It’s wall-to-wall decaps and recaps. Drink a sh…

We finally dedicate an entire episode to scams. We discover that Elliott Gould co-starred with at least two real-life murderers, we manage to pitch yet another movie idea involving jewels and switcheroos, and we beg you to never let a stranger come in from the rain. Discussed in this episode: Rosalie Goes Shopping The Gun in Betty Lou’s Handbag Hos…

“Lucy, have you ever heard of surplus value?” This episode, we investigate movies about work, ponder hyper-specific job representation on film, and pitch a movie about an accidental grifter that’s sure to rate high on the dice-o-meter. Discussed in this episode: Clockwatchers Office Killer The Little Drummer Girl (2018) The Little Drummer Girl (198…

We scope out each other’s Letterboxd watchlists and assign films we feel warrant discussion immediately, pitch an absurdist family dramedy starring Youn Yuh-jung (who won an Oscar shortly after this recording!), and break down our recent streaming explorations. We also cover if Michael Fassbender and Tom Hiddleston are in fact different people (sti…

Pull up a chair, bb! We wrap up the year by sharing some cinematic “wild rides” - from the interspecies romance of Max Mon Amour to obsession and stan-nibalism (?) in Der Fan. We pitch a femme-centric motorcycle movie starring Da’Vine Joy Randolph and chat about the highs and lows of what we’ve watched this winter. Discussed in this episode: The Pr…

We catch up on what we’ve watched since our last episode and chat about our recent deep cut horror finds and favorite spooky subgenres. We reappraise the often shunned world of horror sequels, discover an unlikely H.R. Giger music video collaboration, and establish that Brits should never displace a henge. Discussed in this episode: Paganini Horror…

It’s our fashion and style episode! While we discuss which films “give good still”, we weigh in on botanical thrillers, disco magicians, and how young Jean Reno is an out-and-out snack. We pitch the fashion horror movie of our dreams and puzzle over the one Schrader film that still has us scratching our heads. Discussed in this episode: Subway The …

We greet the new year with by grading our own homework on our 2019 moodboards, review some fresh finds from directors whose films we’ve never seen, and throw a wrench in the works with a sh*t pitch from hell! Discussed in this episode: True Stories The Velvet Vampire Little Women (1994) Uncut Gems Vampir Count Dracula The Northerners Landscape in t…

We close out the 2010s with nearly 20 selections from the past decade that we may have overlooked. Hope you like sci-fi and mysteries, because we’ve got plenty of ‘em! And we craft an original pitch brimming with polyglot hotties (polyglotties?) to guide you into the 2020s. Discussed in this episode: Coherence Vulture’s “Every Movie of the 2010s, R…

Just in time for the holidays, we delve into movies with familial themes. We discuss a few of the movie elements we love and hate [mostly hate!] Our original movie pitch is glorified ‘90s fanfic, starring Laurs’ all-time hairstyle crush! And in our Radar section, we quite possibly uncover our new “Ratboy”! Discussed in this episode: Scam Goddess Bi…

We’re back, bb! In our first episode of season 2, we discuss our current horror obsessions, as well as the spooky VHS covers that shaped our tender young minds. We speculate on why the ‘80s were so obsessed with sewers and garbage, gauge which primates are the most approachable, and determine that bisexual lighting is the ideal backdrop for Grace J…

In our season one finale, we report back on some of our previous radar picks, attempt to mount the worst pitch we can think of (including a ghastly USO troupe lead by James Corden during WWII), and leave you with a few final recommendations to tide you over till next season! Thank you for listening to us prattle on about Laura Dern, Juzo Itami, Col…

This episode, we’re spotlighting actors. We’ve each chosen one actor and we’ll be unpacking three of their deep cut films (some best left to obscurity). We’ll also discuss our personal fanfic actor/director collaborations, pitch a show biz film that’s mostly just pithy barbs and dancewear, and take a final bow with our radar section. Discussed in t…

We attempt to unravel the mystery genre: We’ve got a special double pitch of real-life mysteries we think deserve their own series, we’ll talk about notable films that leave us with more questions than answers, and we’ll end with some cryptic clues about what’s been on our cinematic radar. Discussed in this episode: Sonic “attacks” in Cuba Marcia G…

This episode, we’re pulling our focus on the American mythos and the marginalized stories frequently erased in United States history and in fictionalized work. Plus, some extra pitches and a few radar findings to guide you home. Discussed in this episode: Exclusion and incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII Ellen and William Craft “Furusat…

We’re hurtling through the winner-take-all world of sports movies. We’ll warm-up with a chat about action movies that got robbed at the box office and cool-down with a movie pitch that puts a blood-thirsty Kate Berlant on an all-night quest. Then we’ll leave you with a post-game analysis of what’s been in our cinematic playbook. Sports! Discussed i…

We’re having fun in the sun, exploring some cinematic beach reads and notable summer-themed movies! We inadvertently veer off into a couple of true crime tangents: from an unreleased Black-Dahlia-adjacent Alfre Woodard project to the real-life creep who inspired the Laura Dern vehicle “Smooth Talk.” Our original movie pitch contends that nothing go…

We play cinematic book club and tackle some film adaptations of novels. But first, we nominate some songs that would make great (or at least, plausible) movies, raising a glass of sherry to the partied-out songwriting of the 1970s. Later, we attempt a tricky adaptation of a short story with tense geopolitical and interpersonal implications, and wra…

We discuss that old stalwart: movies about movies! We chat about Kate Bush’s own personal Xanadu, Udo Kier’s blue eyes, and our fave Steve Buscemi lewk. In our first fanfic-themed pitch, we develop a 1970s horror film so good you’ll be almost inconsolable over the realization that it doesn’t exist. But there are so many Juzo Itami films available t…

We’re knocking a few tired classics down a peg or two and replacing them with some underappreciated deep cuts –– your dorm room movie posters are probably not safe! We’re pitching a steamy role for the scary/sexy talents of Isabelle Huppert and lambasting the genre tropes of women stalkers and baby boomer nostalgia. We also discuss an art world hea…

Grab a smoke and meet us behind the gym, because we’re covering girl friendship on film! We pitch a movie about everyone’s worst travel nightmare, and along the way we dissect American vs. French coffee mugs, what’s in Rick Steve’s Jansport, and how Harry Dean Stanton would fare as a girl’s best friend. Discussed in this episode: Now and Then Pen15…

We sport some jaunty berets and explore the tortured genius of artists on film. Along the way, we explore art world tropes we loathe, pitch a film that gets Minnie Driver in a smart skirt suit, and disclose some 1970s public access gold for art lovers! **Sound note: halfway through the recording, we were joined by a special guest, a poltergeist (i.…

We finally get around to seeing the films that have been lingering on our watchlists for far too long. We pitch a horror film with decoy toilets and a substantial bonnet budget, air some of our top genre trope gripes, vaguely attempt a Steve Brady impression, and report back on some recent fantasy/noir viewings (along with some more palatable disco…

Feast your ears on our food episode! We’re chewing the fat about our favorite food movies, serving up an original film pitch, and giving you a smorgasbord of recommendations to takeaway! Bon appetit! Discussed in this episode: An (Sweet Bean) Eat Drink Man Woman Kamome Diner Garlic Is As Good as Ten Mothers Big Night Italianamerican Hotel Splendide…

The category is: candy hearts and kissing in the rain… that’s right, lovers, we’re talking romance! Play along as Laurs quizzes Meg on surprising celebrity couples, then join us for a deep dive into some truly disparate romantic films. Later, we pitch “Mother’s Boys,” a slow, deadpan comedy with elements supplied by our honeys, and wrap it up with …

We’re bringing you some cinematic visions of the future: ranging from mod utopias filled with gadgets to barren wastelands filled with trash can fires! We dig deeper into Meg’s avuncular affection for Tony Shalhoub, and Laurs confesses to yet another childhood staple that she has never seen. We pitch an adaptation of the Bedbug starring Jemaine Cle…

We’re giving the people [ourselves] what they [we] want: a 100% Frasier mini-sode! For the dedicated Frasier freaks as well as the Frasier-curious, we discuss our favorite episodes and the keys to the show’s enduring comedic appeal. Episodes discussed: S2e13: Retirement Is Murder S3e16: Look Before You Leap S3e23: The Focus Group (honorable mention…

We lay out our cinematic ‘moodboreds’ for the new year, and pitch an eerie action/thriller miniseries complete with hunky doppelgangers and a Buffy cameo. We also discuss some sk8r flicks, spill the hot goss on how Ratboy may have broken Laurs, and strive for that elusive Kanopy sponsorship! Discussed in this episode: The Last Supper The Green Ray …

We are joined by our first guest: Hannah Piper Burns, experimental filmmaker and multimedia artist (who wrote for Fandor.com until its recent demise). We conduct an in-depth wrap-up of the films and themes of 2018, Hannah pitches a film idea ripped from the headlines, and finally… Suspiria-booowl!!! Discussed in this episode: Assassination Nation I…

We slather on blue eyeshadow, legally emancipate from our parents, and reveal the movie musicals we can actually tolerate. We finally discuss the “harsh realm” of Shirkers, pitch a riveting political satire, and finish off with some thematically germane recommendations Discussed in this episode: Columbo McQueen Lazzaro Felice Muriel Full Moon in Pa…

We’re scouring snow banks and tundras for some favorite winter films, and our attempt at a sh*t pitch inadvertently turns into a somewhat watchable “hunks on drugs” caper. Then, we bring it home with our true character crush confessions. Discussed in this episode: Fermat’s Room Stepping Out Crossing Delancey Haunting of Hill House Chilling Adventur…

We go deep into a discussion of cinematic hidden gems that deserve cult followings, and Laurs gets Meg to sign off on a rock opera pitch! Discussed in this episode: Safe Quick Change Mother A Colt is My Passport Wings Variety Cría Cuervos Who Wants to Kill Jessie? The Gleaners and I The Hitcher AD/BC: A Rock Opera Matt Berry Rosie Perez Sisters QI …

We debate Alan Yang’s Forever (**spoilers** from ~1:40-6:09), and Meg finally watches Laurs’ beloved Prince of Darkness. We discuss our personal ‘sh*t shows’ and speculate wildly about the plots of the rare sector of TV we will NEVER watch. Plus, we pitch a film noir about the dark side of job sharing! Discussed in this episode: Forever Haunting of…

We cozy up and chat about some of our favorite autumnal movies. We pitch what we hope to be Richard Ayoade’s next project and an original podcast idea that we’re too lazy to make. Plus, Laurs gives some Arkansas-themed recommendations. Sit back with some mulled wine and enjoy! Discussed in this episode: The Trouble with Harry Housekeeping Tillsamma…

In Episode 2, we talk sequels, sophomore slumps and successes. We ponder what it means to “Frasier Up.” And we pitch a film that will finally put John Early in a Nehru Jacket. Discussed in this episode: Morvern Callar Singles Little Shop of Horrors Great Expectations The Birdcage Sorcerer Good Morning Irma Vep Shadow of the Vampire Begotten Da Swee…

Debut! We discuss our earliest cinema and Blockbuster Video memories, run down some notable debut films, ponder the best highly specific horror subgenres, and pitch a guaranteed hit with Kim Cattrall and Stephen Fry. Discussed in this episode: The Witches Gimme the Loot Sexy Beast Bone Tomahawk Chameleon Street Girlfriends Housebound Mermaids Hallo…