We’re sorry for the wait! The fate of Criticism Is Dead has been decided. We hope you will listen to this update. Thank you. <3

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Where to find us:

Pelin: Twitter / Letterboxd / Instagram Jenny: Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter / Letterboxd If you need to get in touch, still: criticismisdead@gmail.com

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season.

In episode 10 “With Open Eyes,” the board decides.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season.

In episode 4 “Honeymoon States,” the Coronation Demolition Derby kicks off, garbed in black.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Nomadland, a film about human impermanence, and Judas and the Black Messiah, a betrayal biographical drama.

03:12 Nomadland, streaming on Hulu, follows the uprooted life of a woman who lives out of her van.

29:12 Judas and the Black Messiah, available on HBO Max through March 14, follows the life and eventual death of revolutionary Fred Hampton.

39:26 Plus, cultures notes about how WandaVision is introducing a under-appreciated actors — like Randall Park, Kathryn Hahn, and Teyonah Parris — to a whole new generation of fans. (Here is one of the TikToks, we'll link more in our Substack.)

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss — and we mean really discuss — Minari, Lee Isaac Chung's new semi-autobiographical film about a Korean American family that moves to rural Arkansas in the 1980s.

Things we touch on: Asian American and immigrant narratives, nature and the land, Korean masculinity and fatherhood, the idea of the "American Dream," and more!!!

We are joined by special guest Inkoo Kang, who is a TV critic for The Hollywood Reporter, a fantastic culture writer, and a great person to follow on Twitter (@inkookang).

Read Inkoo's thoughtful interview with Lee Isaac Chung and her piece on the promise and pitfalls of Asian American reality TV.

And check out her and Daniel Schroeder's limited podcast All About Almodóva‪r‬, about the films of Pedro Almodóvar.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss WandaVision and Malcolm & Marie, two "firsts" that have people buzzing for different reasons.

03:22 WandaVision, Disney+'s first Marvel Cinematic Universe-based TV series, is a slow-drip fun watch, even for absolute non-MCU heads like us.

19:01 Malcolm & Marie, Netflix's first big feature film to be entirely created and filmed during the pandemic, is causing a bit of a stir among critics.

38:41 Plus, culture notes about the weird nature of Golden Globe noms, the snub everyone's talking about, and the need to watch better stuff.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss The Dig and Wolfwalkers, two films — one Anglo, one Celtic — that look back in time.

04:16 The Dig (2021), new to Netflix, is a reimagination of the true story of the excavation of a 7th-century medieval burial ship of an Anglo-Saxon king.

22:12 Wolfwalkers (2020) is an animated children's film about Irish folklore, family, sisterhood, nature, and the oppressive forces of colonialism and Christianity.

35:16 Plus, culture notes about a truly embarrassing clusterfuck in which Variety threw a freelance critic under the bus because Carey Mulligan took issue with his review of Promising Young Woman.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss Bling Empire, a reality TV show about having everything, and The White Tiger, a film about having nothing and wanting everything.

01:49 Bling Empire, Netflix's latest glossy smooth-brain content, is, disappointingly, neither particularly crazy rich nor particularly Asian.

18:08 The White Tiger, also new on Netflix, is about what it takes to become a "have" in a cruel system of haves and have-nots.

31:34 Plus, culture notes about the Bernie Sanders mittens meme outrage cycle.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss Promising Young Woman and Sound of Metal, two films about finding silence after what feels like the end of the world.

04:05 Promising Young Woman, available for rental now and out in theaters soon, is talked about as a revenge fantasy, but it's more about how to sit with the terrible reality that what happened happened.

20:52 Sound of Metal, streaming on Amazon Prime Video, is a uniquely immersive look at the experience of losing one's hearing but gaining something else.

32:51 Plus, culture notes about what's going on with the Armie Hammer stuff (sorry).

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss The Flight Attendant, an overly hyped caper, and Lupin, a heist show that deserves all the hype.

02:15 Are we mavericks for opining that The Flight Attendant, HBO Max's buzzy not-limited series, is... not good???

17:50 Netflix's new heist series Lupin, on the other hand, is very good.

26:56 Plus, culture notes about the last time we remember seeing real romantic chemistry on the screen, and what that has to do with recent chatter about the upcoming film Malcolm & Marie.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss horny period drama Bridgerton (2020) and angsty young adult survival series The Wilds (2020).

02:53 Bridgerton, the first big Shondaland x Netflix offering, is the epitome of a guilty pleasure, but its probing of race and relationships leaves much to be desired.

17:28 The Wilds, one of Amazon Prime Video's few Youth Market shows, is both cringe-y and tender in its depiction of teen girls.

26:33 Plus, not one, but TWO culture notes: the first about Ben "Believe in Boston" Affleck and his Dunkin', and the second about TV to look forward to this year maybe???

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

It's our year-end special! We each present our top 5 picks for film and TV, respectively, plus some honorable mentions, making for a grand total of... 10 movies and 16 shows recommended??

02:27 Movies! Including T_, F_ C__, and more.

20:12 TV! Including N_ P, T_ Q' G__, and more.

For the full list written out, check out our Substack — we'll be publishing the newsletter (with extended show notes, other links, etc.) for this episode at 9am ET today.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

It's our holiday special! We discuss Love Actually (2003) and Carol (2015), two "holiday" "classics" that inspire very different feelings.

01:49 Love Actually, which is available for rent on various places, is long and horny!!

15:23 Carol, streaming on Netflix, is melancholy and gay!!

27:03 Plus, instead of culture notes this week, we play a game guessing the dumb titles of other holiday/Christmas movies.

P.S. Thanks everyone who submitted suggestions for what to watch! Sorry we couldn't discuss all of them, but here are the rest for your perusal/streaming pleasure:

• A New York Christmas Wedding
• A Christmas Prince
• Last Holiday
• Trading Places
• Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square
• Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special
• Disney Family Holiday Singalong
• The Revenant
• Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
• Ronin
• Batman Returns

P.P.S. We're taking next week off, but we'll be back before the New Year to discuss our favorite films and shows of 2020! Feel free to send in your own personal faves!

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes—including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit—subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss Perry Mason and The Big Door Prize, two shows about people reluctantly grappling with their life potential.

03:22 Perry Mason, streaming on HBO Max, returns for a second season that is vibe-ier and better crafted than the first.

18:56 The Big Door Prize, streaming on Apple TV+, is the right blend of lighthearted quirk, existential questions, and plain intrigue.

34:04 Plus, a little chat about the jaw-dropping mess (complimentary) that is Love Is Blind season 4.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Mank (2020), a film set in 1930s-40s Hollywood, and Tokyo Girl (2016), a series set in modern-day Tokyo.

2:00 Mank, streaming on Netflix, is David Fincher's latest movie, made by and for auteurs and film nerds. Depending on who you ask, this may be good or bad. But one thing's undeniable: Amanda Seyfried!

13:31 Tokyo Girl, an older Japanese show available on Amazon Prime Video, is a series of snapshots from the life of a woman trying to have it all in the big city. Aren't we all!

24:46 Plus, cultures notes about how fans are going batshit seeing sneak peeks from shows and films currently in production.

P.S. REQUEST: We're doing a holiday special next week! Please send us your holiday movie recs — the good, the bad, the cheesy — ASAP via the channels listed below. Thank you!!

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes—including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit—subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss Ted Lasso (2020) and Industry (2020), two series about lone Americans navigating unknown waters across the pond — in one case, a football field, in the other, an investment bank.

02:34 Ted Lasso, one of Apple TV+'s first true word-of-mouth sleeper hits, sits at the intersection of cheesy, surprising, heartwarming, and pure, unadulterated vibes.

17:22 Industry, out on HBO, is like if Skins were a cutthroat, hypercapitalist workplace drama, complete with sex, drugs, and P&Ls.

29:50 Plus, culture notes about an ingeniously controversial "25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century" list from New York Times critics Manohla Dargis and A.O. Scott. Who said criticism was dead??

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss The Crown season 4 (2020), a series about an antiquated British institution, and the Great British Bake Off season 11 (2020), a competition show that may also be an antiquating British institution?

01:27 Season 4 of The Crown, a Netflix series following the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, is about toxic girlboss Margaret Thatcher, the people's princess Diana, and the growing obsoletion of the monarchy in a world that has already progressed past it.

22:05 We have food writer and Eater London associate editor James Hansen on to talk about the Great British Bake Off (available for Americans on Netflix) and how it was maybe never meant to bear all the weight of 2020, just an idea! Check out more of James's work on Eater London and in his food media newsletter In Digestion.

(Just a note we're skipping culture notes this week because we have Too Much Content.)

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes—including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit—subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss The Undoing (2020) and Shithouse (2020), two works about—in a sense—exploring who you are as a person, whether that's a wealthy therapist mentally unraveling or a college freshman missing home.

NOTE: This episode is a bit longer than usual, but very good imho!! Also, we only talk about The Undoing up through episode 3, so feel free to listen without major spoilers.

01:36 The Undoing, an HBO limited series that's currently airing, is the latest in the genre of television exploring the troubled inner and outer workings of rich white women whose seemingly perfect lives are disrupted by tragedy or violence.

15:57 Shithouse, a film made by and starring a majorly talented 23-year-old, is deft, emotionally honest, and painfully relatable in its depiction of college life and feeling like you don't quite fit in.

28:00 Plus, culture notes about a buzzy sneak preview of the Gossip Girl reboot, and the nostalgia-heavy era of remakes, reunions, and remixes.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes—including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit—subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss The Good Lord Bird (2020), a tragicomic historical fiction miniseries about John Brown, and Blood of Zeus (2020), an adult animation series about another kind of "savior" (read: a hot Greek demigod).

01:45 The Good Lord Bird, a limited series on Showtime set before the Civil War, depicts the messiness of history and the figures who get remembered. (Bonus: It stars Ethan Hawke, who just turned 50, hbd babe!)

12:15 Blood of Zeus, an animated series on Netflix, is basically Greek mythology fanfiction that could've been good, but uhh is not! More importantly: Why aren't there more high-budget Greek mythology epic series à la Game of Thrones?

23:23 Plus, culture notes about the election, including a request to NOT let Ivanka and Jared slink back into society, thank you!!!

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes—including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit—subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss The Queen's Gambit (2020), a show of high watchability, and His House (2020), a film as scary as it is devastating.

00:30 The Queen's Gambit, a limited series from Netflix, is about trauma, but it is not traumatic. It is full of tropes, but not weighed down by them. It is a reminder that when Netflix gets it right, it's right (yeah whatever we're eating some of our words from last week). Plus, discussion about Jolene, one of the most interesting(?) characters on the show.

13:59 His House, also on Netflix, is the latest film in the current-day genre that roots its horror in real-world pain and atrocities, particularly those experienced by immigrants, Black people, and other survivors of the world's worst cruelties.

23:04 And culture notes about an attempt by the Trump administration to "defeat despair and inspire hope" amid the pandemic by recruiting celebrities for a PSA, resulting in one of the inadvertently funniest assessments of modern celebrity.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes—including links that we reference, plus bonus bullshit—subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

We discuss Rebecca (2020) and On the Rocks (2020)—two films, both alike in content (marriage) and watchability (background noise).

00:41 Rebecca, out on Netflix, is the latest, cynical example of how big streaming fare can go wrong.

10:03 On the Rocks, available on Apple TV+, is basically Sofia Coppola for normies. Ouch!

16:37 Plus, culture notes about two famous men and their dumb defenders. In the words of Astead W. Herndon, "don’t take Ls on behalf of someone else currently in the process of L taking." Advice to live by!

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes and bonus links, subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu Special thanks: Dan Geneen

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

Introducing a new weekly podcast about film, television, and culture, and all the opinions involved therein. Does anything even matter? Who cares! Hosted by Pelin Keskin-Liu and Jenny G. Zhang.

Subscribe now to get this in-demand content wired directly to your brain.

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season.

In episode 3 “Connor’s Wedding,” the unthinkable — and the inevitable — happens.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Return to Seoul and Rye Lane, two films with a strong sense of place.

02:22 At times discomfiting, at times revelatory, the film Return to Seoul — playing in select theaters — is a distinctive spin on the journey of an adoptee.

26:19 The pleasant rom-com Rye Lane, streaming on Hulu, does a better job highlighting the charm of a city than any chemistry between its leads.

39:29 Plus, culture notes about how Gwyneth Paltrow litigated her way into stans’ hearts.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season.

In episode 2 “Rehearsal,” business and personal issues became entangled (again).

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Top Chef and Next in Fashion, two reality competition shows that demonstrate the importance of skill.

04:06 We have a soft spot for Top Chef because we love to witness CRAFT, and season 20 — streaming on Hulu, Peacock, etc. — is no exception.

23:26 Netflix revived its promising fashion design competition reality show Next in Fashion only to completely butcher season 2.

37:23 Plus, new Coppola just dropped.

ALSO, don't forget to check out our bonus SUCCESSION SENDOFF episode 1 in the feed!

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our new weekly special following along Succession’s fourth and final season!

Featuring a review of what happened in episode 1, our thoughts, and three new recurring segments: Daddy’s Best Boy, The Disgusting Boy, and Death Watch.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We have a very special one for you this week. In honor of our 100th episode — yes, that’s right, this is the big 1-0-0! — we’re doing our own highly personal version of the AFI greatest films list. Presenting: our top seven films, respectively.

(Obligatory disclaimers: We haven’t watched everything, these are not really in any particular order, these are just our opinions, etc.)

05:39 After Life (Hirokazu Kore-eda, 1998)

07:54 Spirited Away (Hayao Miyazaki, 2001)

10:36 Close-Up (Abbas Kiarostami, 1990)

13:09 Little Miss Sunshine (dir. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, writ. Michael Arndt, 2006)

15:12 Inside Llewyn Davis (Joel and Ethan Coen, 2013)

17:33 Call Me By Your Name (dir. Luca Guadagnino, writ. James Ivory, 2017)

20:27 The Matrix (Lana and Lilly Wachowski, 1999)

23:49 Wolf Children (dir. Mamoru Hosoda, writ. Satoko Okudera and Mamoru Hosoda, 2012)

26:20 Michael Clayton (Tony Gilroy, 2007)

28:50 Parasite (dir. Bong Joon-ho, writ. Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin-won, 2019)

33:01 Persona (Ingmar Bergman, 1966)

35:35 Nomadland (Chloé Zhao, 2020)

39:53 Fish Tank (Andrea Arnold, 2009)

42:08 Princess Mononoke (Hayao Miyazaki, 1997)

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Top Gun: Maverick and The Reluctant Traveler, a film and a series about older men discovering that they have plenty left to live for.

02:41 Don’t overthink Top Gun: Maverick — the film, streaming on Paramount+ and MGM+, is the epitome of “turn your brain off and rock on.”

21:59 The Reluctant Traveler, streaming on Apple TV+, is a sometimes relatable, sometimes frustrating, always gorgeous travel show.

36:42 Plus, 2023 Oscar predictions: what we want to win versus what we think will win.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss The Last of Us and Hello Tomorrow!, two vastly different visions of the past, present, and future.

03:00 The Last of Us, streaming on HBO Max, is faithful yet fresh enough to appeal to both pre-existing fans and new viewers.

27:00 Hello Tomorrow!, streaming on Apple TV+, is a gorgeous but underbaked series about a grifter salesman in a retrofuturistic world.

40:58 Plus, culture notes about the upcoming fourth and final season of Succession (and Jeremy Strong being babygirl).

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Barry and Yellowjackets, two series about human darkness.

05:17 Barry season 4, streaming on HBO Max, is reaching new, uncanny, glorious heights.

29:51 Yellowjackets season 2, streaming on Showtime, doesn’t quite live up to all its promises, instead faltering and stalling to an unfortunate degree.

45:02 Plus, mini grab bag time! A collection of TV and films we’ve been watching recently, including You Hurt My Feelings, Mrs. Davis, Somebody Somewhere, The Eight Mountains, and more.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Shrinking and Sharper, a series and a film that work best if you’re willing to turn your brain off and enjoy the ride.

02:39 Shrinking, streaming on Apple TV+, is far from graceful at striking the balance between profound and lighthearted, but it boasts a likable cast with chemistry and laughs.

20:54 Sharper, streaming on Apple TV+, doesn’t quite stand up to close scrutiny, but it is both fun and visually striking.

33:37 Plus, happy belated Valentine’s to some famous people: Emily Ratajkowski, Eric Andre, Florence Pugh, and Charlie Gooch.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Lockwood & Co and Somebody I Used to Know, a TV series and a film about owning your agency, whether you’re a teen ghost killer or a documentary filmmaker.

02:54 Lockwood & Co, streaming on Netflix, takes a good idea (teen detective supernatural thriller) and builds out an appealing world with it.

18:50 Somebody I Used to Know, streaming on Amazon Prime Video, is a pleasant and self-aware surprise of a rom-com.

30:50 Plus, culture notes about the Astro Boy boots that have taken over the fashion influencer world.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss To Leslie and Paul T. Goldman, a film and a series about people trapped by their own demons.

03:37 To Leslie, available VOD, is a familiar narrative that’s elevated by an Oscar-worthy performance.

19:38 Paul T. Goldman, streaming on Peacock, is as painstakingly and skillfully crafted as it is completely wild.

38:35 Plus, culture notes about Pedro Pascal, an official boyfriend of the pod.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Aftersun and Poker Face, a film and a series that use perspective to conceal and reveal pieces of the puzzle.

04:44 The father-daughter drama Aftersun, available VOD, is a feat of subtle, naturalistic acting.

20:38 Poker Face, streaming on Peacock, is an utterly fun “howcatchem” procedural.

33:31 Plus, culture notes about Andrea Riseborough’s Oscar nomination and what does (and does not) set it apart from other awards campaigns.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Elvis and The Makanai, a film and a series about the people behind the performer.

03:37 Elvis, streaming on HBO Max, is a gaudy, flawed, stirring love letter to the King of Rock and Roll.

17:43 The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House, streaming on Netflix, is a comforting series about friendship, life choices, and following one’s dreams.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

This is a grab bag episode, a.k.a. one of our occasional watchlist dumps. We’ve been getting through plenty of TV and film, not all of which can make it into our main episodes, so this is where it’s going!

02:39 His Dark Materials s3 (HBO Max)

05:47 Emily in Paris s3 (Netflix)

07:59 The English (Amazon Prime Video)

11:26 Slow Horses s2 (Apple TV+)

14:18 Gossip Girl s2 (HBO Max)

18:06 Babylon (theaters)

21:23 Single’s Inferno s2 (Netflix)

25:17 The Traitors (U.S.) (Peacock)

28:22 SAS Rogue Heroes (Epix/MGM+)

32:02 Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (Peacock)

36:03 The Stranger (Netflix)

39:04 Old Enough s2 (Netflix)

41:59 Fleishman Is in Trouble (Hulu)

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and Triangle of Sadness, two films that beat us over the head with cynicism about money and power.

02:01 Glass Onion, streaming on Netflix, is neither outstanding nor terrible, but basically akin to a fine or even fun Scooby-Doo mystery.

20:06 Triangle of Sadness, available VOD, is blunt, vulgar, and chaotic — and very good.

37:33 Plus, culture notes about M3GAN the doll and M3GAN the film’s viral fame.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

It's our year-end special! To close out 2022, we each present our top 5 picks for film and TV, respectively, from this year.

01:45 Movies!

15:26 TV!

(For honorable mentions, check out criticismisdead.substack.com.)

Thank you so much for tuning in this year. See you in 2023!!

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Emily the Criminal and Decision to Leave, two films about crimes of passion.

02:05 Emily the Criminal, streaming on Netflix, is an impressive feature film debut that hits all the right notes, and then some.

18:27 Decision to Leave, streaming on Mubi, is stylish, unbridled, and utterly, unexpectedly romantic.

35:34 Plus, The White Lotus SEASON 2 FINALE!!!

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Wednesday and The Big Brunch, two shows that highlight how nice it is to be a part of a community.

02:14 Wednesday, streaming on Netflix, is a surprisingly great mix of supernatural hijinks, murder mystery antics, and teen boarding school escapades.

16:24 The Big Brunch is HBO Max’s answer to The Great British Bake Off: a cooking competition series where good vibes are paramount.

29:47 Plus, culture notes about the controversy surrounding this decade’s newly crowned Sight & Sound “Greatest Films of All Times,” and why it’s good to shake up our notion of the “canon” every once in a while.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season.

In episode 9 “Church and State,” a funeral becomes a battleground.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss The White Lotus season 2 and The Menu, two works highlighting the relationship between those who serve and those who take from the silver platter.

02:39 The White Lotus’s second season, streaming on HBO Max, is even better than the first, poking with a sharper, slyer stick at sex, power, and gender dynamics.

23:01 The Menu, currently in theaters, sufficiently skewers foodie culture and fine-dining fetishism, but fails to cut as deeply elsewhere.

37:58 Plus, culture notes about Andor, which has found itself in the middle of a squabble on the left about mass-culture art and revolutionary politics.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss The Banshees of Inisherin and See How They Run, two films that raise the question of the importance of art over lives lived.

03:28 The Banshees of Inisherin, playing in theaters, finds equal parts comedy, tragedy, and emotional resonance in the dissolution of a friendship.

24:49 See How They Run, streaming on HBO Max, is a tight parcel of a self-aware whodunit that’s carried by its cast.

39:24 Plus, culture notes about Twitter, part 2 (please kill us). (#GetJennyto10kBeforeTwitterDies)

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Andor and Paterson, a series and a film that hone in on the details of ordinary people’s lives.

06:20 Andor, streaming on Disney+, is not just great Star Wars television — it’s great television, period.

22:46 In Paterson, streaming on Amazon Prime Video, characters and viewers alike find art and beauty in everyday circumstances.

35:53 Plus, culture notes about what comes after Twitter (if anything).

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Derry Girls and The Mole, two shows about groups of people trying to get what they want, episode after episode.

02:28 Derry Girls, streaming on Netflix in the U.S., strikes a sweet balance between teenage self-obsession and adulthood.

21:11 The Mole — Netflix’s revival of the early-aughts reality competition show — has some flaws, but is ultimately a fun ride for anyone who likes puzzles, heists, and gameplay.

42:04 Plus, culture notes about James Corden getting banned (possibly twice?) from Balthazar.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Tár and Los Espookys, a film and a series about what lies beneath the surface of a performance.

01:46 Tár, playing in theaters, is an ambitious, relentless, engrossing film about art — and the great and terrible artist.

26:48 Los Espookys, available on HBO, is a gem of a surreal, absurdist, magical realist comedy series.

39:31 Plus, culture notes about our favorite curmudgeon/New Yorker critic Richard Brody’s very strange week.

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power, two IP-franchise fantasy shows striving to become part of TV history for their respective networks.

03:55 HBO’s House of the Dragon may be smaller in scale, but its soapiness and focus on two women makes for an intriguing, at times delightful, watch.

26:07 Amazon Prime Video’s The Rings of Power starts off slow, but it builds a world so lush, so rich, so grand in its scale and mythology, that it’s worth tuning in.

42:54 So, ultimately, which series is better?

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Grab bag episode! This is our first ~expanded~ version of our occasional watchlist dumps. We’ve been watching a lot of stuff, not all of which can make it into our main episodes, so why not put it all here?

03:19 Industry s2 on HBO Max

10:48 Selling the OC on Netflix

16:30 The Resort finale on Peacock

18:45 Black Bird on Apple TV+

22:02 What We Do in the Shadows s4 on Hulu

24:12 Only Murders in the Building s2 on Hulu

26:48 Bad Sisters on Apple TV+

31:08 Never Have I Ever s3 on Netflix

33:46 This Is Going to Hurt on AMC+

36:47 This Fool on Hulu

38:48 Mo on Netflix

43:15 Junior Bake Off on Netflix

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Rap Sh!t and Yi Yi, a series and a film about life’s choices and how they shape you as a person.

02:34 Rap Sh!t, streaming on HBO Max, is a solid sophomore series from Issa Rae that portrays the tireless hustle that go into pursuing one’s dream.

20:02 Yi Yi, available on Criterion, is a meditative, bittersweet, stunning work of cinema about the currents of life.

38:12 Plus, culture notes about the trials and tribulations of Don’t Worry Darling, which — reminder — won’t be out for another three weeks!!!

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com.

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu