<![CDATA[Cinematix Problematix]]>c8c278d3-e0ec-5545-a8b5-9c50257fe5ceSat, 16 May 2026 16:00:32 +0000Captivate.fmKristina Rettig & Erin Maxwell | Cinematix Problematixhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/146c5bd4-fa48-47dd-9857-ed286e903260/Cinematix-Problematix-Captivate-Podcast-Cover-Image-v4-COMPRESS.jpgCinematix ProblematixKristina Rettig & Erin Maxwell | Cinematix ProblematixKristina Rettig & Erin Maxwell | Cinematix ProblematixWelcome, fellow cinephiles to Cinematix Problematix - where we make morally shaky excuses to still love films filled with racism, misogyny, objectification, and inappropriate sexualization. Some of these films are like your favorite uncle who you love seeing at Christmas because he makes everything more fun, but then he slips in a super racist comment over dinner and your mom says “Oh, honey, he’s just from a different time.” Movies are time capsules and filmmakers were just doing their best - their most woman and minority-hating best and we’re here to come to their defense. We’ve lost the ability to forgive, so let’s start exercising that muscle with something that brings all of us together. Movies. And Judging things. Possibly hating them. So feel free to laugh and judge with us as we go back to a different time and try to find a way to still love the movies that made us the freaky weirdos we are today. Enjoy the show!https://www.cinematixproblematix.comtrueepisodicyespodcast[RERUN] Revenge of the Nerds: Frat Boys, Boobies, and the Horny Underdog[RERUN] Revenge of the Nerds: Frat Boys, Boobies, and the Horny Underdog[In honor of the passing of Donald Gibb, we're re-releasing one of our Revenge of the Nerds episode in his honor. R.I.P, Ogre.]

Today, we’re talking about the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds directed by Jeff Kanew, which follows horny freshman nerds Lewis and Gilbert as they get into college, only to be bullied by the cool, jocular members of the Alpha Beta fraternity. In response to their humiliation and their sudden lack of housing at the hands of the Alpha Beta frat bullies, they not only form their own fraternity born out of the all-Black fraternity Lambda Lambda Lambda, but they challenge the jocks to various competitions at the Homecoming Carnival so that they can rule the Greek Council and get the girl(s).

The film stars Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Curtis Armstrong, Ted McGinley of Shrinking Fame, and John Goodman as the evil football coach. This film has a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Sins against it: sexual assault, voyeurism, gratuitous boobies, and infantile sexual innuendo.

CREDITS

Hosts: Erin Maxwell & Kristina "Krissie" Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

]]>[In honor of the passing of Donald Gibb, we're re-releasing one of our Revenge of the Nerds episode in his honor. R.I.P, Ogre.]

Today, we’re talking about the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds directed by Jeff Kanew, which follows horny freshman nerds Lewis and Gilbert as they get into college, only to be bullied by the cool, jocular members of the Alpha Beta fraternity. In response to their humiliation and their sudden lack of housing at the hands of the Alpha Beta frat bullies, they not only form their own fraternity born out of the all-Black fraternity Lambda Lambda Lambda, but they challenge the jocks to various competitions at the Homecoming Carnival so that they can rule the Greek Council and get the girl(s).

The film stars Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Curtis Armstrong, Ted McGinley of Shrinking Fame, and John Goodman as the evil football coach. This film has a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Sins against it: sexual assault, voyeurism, gratuitous boobies, and infantile sexual innuendo.

CREDITS

Hosts: Erin Maxwell & Kristina "Krissie" Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

]]>bd768f42-1683-4a9c-9425-0600153ce327Sat, 16 May 2026 09:00:00 -070054:06truefull127271Mommie Dearest: Wire Hangers, Wigs & Wholesale WickednessMommie Dearest: Wire Hangers, Wigs & Wholesale WickednessAnd today, we’re talking about 1981’s Frank Perry film Mommie Dearest. Based on the best-selling book by Christina Crawford, it depicts in VIVID detail the abuse she suffered at the hands of her movie star mother, Joan Crawford. It follows Joan’s initial desires to have a child and difficulties with adopting Christina and her brother Christopher, to not-so-gently catapulting the audience into a near-endless parade of cringe-inducing scenes depicting escalating child abuse. Rocketing this film into its camp classic status is an iconic performance by Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford, as she goes FULL FUCKING HAM to show Crawford’s perfectionism, alcoholism, manic-depression, and especially her disdain for wire hangers. The delicious scenery-chewing of Dunaway’s performance paired with a problematic marketing campaign from Paramount may have launched this into camp classic status, but it’s worth discussing if rampant child abuse is the best use of your marketing dollars, especially when it winds up being this fucking funny.

The film stars Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid, Mara Hobel, Steve Forrest, Rutanya Alda, and has a runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes.

Hosted by: Kristina "Krissie" Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>And today, we’re talking about 1981’s Frank Perry film Mommie Dearest. Based on the best-selling book by Christina Crawford, it depicts in VIVID detail the abuse she suffered at the hands of her movie star mother, Joan Crawford. It follows Joan’s initial desires to have a child and difficulties with adopting Christina and her brother Christopher, to not-so-gently catapulting the audience into a near-endless parade of cringe-inducing scenes depicting escalating child abuse. Rocketing this film into its camp classic status is an iconic performance by Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford, as she goes FULL FUCKING HAM to show Crawford’s perfectionism, alcoholism, manic-depression, and especially her disdain for wire hangers. The delicious scenery-chewing of Dunaway’s performance paired with a problematic marketing campaign from Paramount may have launched this into camp classic status, but it’s worth discussing if rampant child abuse is the best use of your marketing dollars, especially when it winds up being this fucking funny.

The film stars Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid, Mara Hobel, Steve Forrest, Rutanya Alda, and has a runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes.

Hosted by: Kristina "Krissie" Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>890de36a-671e-4a62-8eb7-9247e5cfbd63Fri, 01 May 2026 09:00:00 -070047:51truefull126261Pretty Baby: Pretty Disturbing and Exploitative, BabyPretty Baby: Pretty Disturbing and Exploitative, BabyAnd today, we are talking about the 1978 Louis Malle film Pretty Baby which tells the story of a 12-year old girl (Violet) who grows up in a brothel who can't seem to wait for the day where her virginity is auctioned-off to the highest depraved bidder. Along the way, she falls in love with a local New Orleans photographer (Bellocq) who frequents the brothel, who eventually returns her affections. Oh, and he's in his 30's in case you were wondering.

If that weren't disturbing enough, the film shows Violet kissing grown men, grown men groping and kissing her back, as well as a fully nude Brooke Shields. This is all wrapped in a deceptive arthouse label that does little to suppress our desire to projectile vomit in shock and disgust.

The film stars Brooke Shields, Susan Sarandon, Keith Carradine, and has a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina "Krissie" Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>And today, we are talking about the 1978 Louis Malle film Pretty Baby which tells the story of a 12-year old girl (Violet) who grows up in a brothel who can't seem to wait for the day where her virginity is auctioned-off to the highest depraved bidder. Along the way, she falls in love with a local New Orleans photographer (Bellocq) who frequents the brothel, who eventually returns her affections. Oh, and he's in his 30's in case you were wondering.

If that weren't disturbing enough, the film shows Violet kissing grown men, grown men groping and kissing her back, as well as a fully nude Brooke Shields. This is all wrapped in a deceptive arthouse label that does little to suppress our desire to projectile vomit in shock and disgust.

The film stars Brooke Shields, Susan Sarandon, Keith Carradine, and has a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina "Krissie" Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>ab1c72ff-fe0c-4b25-ac6e-c8aeb7058019Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -070053:58truefull125251The Blind Side: White Saviors, Suburbs, and Sandra BullockThe Blind Side: White Saviors, Suburbs, and Sandra BullockAnd today we’re talking about 2009’s John Lee Hancock film The Blind Side. It tells the inspiring tale of a woman named Leigh Ann Touhey who finds it in her affluent, white no-nonsense heart to take in a homeless black child named Big Mike that she and her family find walking home alone on cold Tennessee night. But obstacles turn into opportunity when she discovers that - despite his dismal grades - he happens to score in the 98th percentile for protective instincts. She then ensures he’s put on the football team where he learns to block, tackle, and love.The Touhey family eventually winds up adopting Mike so he can be an official part of the family which is topped off by him accepting an athletic scholarship to the family’s alma mater, Ol’ Miss. Happily ever after right??

WRONG.

If the white savior narrative wasn’t problematic enough, we’ve discovered in recent years that Michael Oher wasn’t actually adopted; he was placed under conservatorship under the guise of adoption that allowed the Touhey family to sell Michael’s story for which he didn’t receive a dime since - under conservatorship - you aren’t really a part of the family and are therefore not entitled to the spoils they collected from his story. Talk about a Blind Side.

The film stars Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Lilly Collins, Tim McGraw, Jae Head, Kim Dickins, and Kathy Bates, and has a runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>And today we’re talking about 2009’s John Lee Hancock film The Blind Side. It tells the inspiring tale of a woman named Leigh Ann Touhey who finds it in her affluent, white no-nonsense heart to take in a homeless black child named Big Mike that she and her family find walking home alone on cold Tennessee night. But obstacles turn into opportunity when she discovers that - despite his dismal grades - he happens to score in the 98th percentile for protective instincts. She then ensures he’s put on the football team where he learns to block, tackle, and love.The Touhey family eventually winds up adopting Mike so he can be an official part of the family which is topped off by him accepting an athletic scholarship to the family’s alma mater, Ol’ Miss. Happily ever after right??

WRONG.

If the white savior narrative wasn’t problematic enough, we’ve discovered in recent years that Michael Oher wasn’t actually adopted; he was placed under conservatorship under the guise of adoption that allowed the Touhey family to sell Michael’s story for which he didn’t receive a dime since - under conservatorship - you aren’t really a part of the family and are therefore not entitled to the spoils they collected from his story. Talk about a Blind Side.

The film stars Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Lilly Collins, Tim McGraw, Jae Head, Kim Dickins, and Kathy Bates, and has a runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>25ed61f4-44f5-4aa4-a58b-59ed0646099bFri, 03 Apr 2026 22:00:00 -070042:43truefull124241Tootsie: Gimmicks, Gaslighting, and Faux FeminismTootsie: Gimmicks, Gaslighting, and Faux FeminismAnd today, we're talking about 1982's Sydney Pollack film Tootsie. It follows unemployed actor Michael Dorsey who decides to impersonate a woman to land a role as a saucy, no-nonsense hospital administrator on a soap opera. In the process, he finds wild success, learns how it feels to be treated like a piece of meat, falls for his co-star, and seduces his friend only to toss her aside while he espouses the virtues of feminism. Is Michael kind of trash? Yes. Is this film hilarious? Also, yes.

The film stars Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Terry Garr, and Bill Murray and has a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>And today, we're talking about 1982's Sydney Pollack film Tootsie. It follows unemployed actor Michael Dorsey who decides to impersonate a woman to land a role as a saucy, no-nonsense hospital administrator on a soap opera. In the process, he finds wild success, learns how it feels to be treated like a piece of meat, falls for his co-star, and seduces his friend only to toss her aside while he espouses the virtues of feminism. Is Michael kind of trash? Yes. Is this film hilarious? Also, yes.

The film stars Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Terry Garr, and Bill Murray and has a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>0c2f891f-c131-4777-8498-a9ce600860c0Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -070045:37truefull123231Crash: More Like a Multi-car Pile-up of Racist TropesCrash: More Like a Multi-car Pile-up of Racist TropesAnd today, we’re talking about 2004’s Crash, written and Directed by Canadian Paul Haggis, who seemed to fancy himself the perfect person to examine LA's complex race issue. This won Best Picture over Brokeback Mountian, Good Night and Good Luck, Munich, Capote, mostly because this was before The Academy had minorities it, and it reflected the myopic worldview of old, white male Academy members and how they viewed racism and people of color. But in reality, Crash was a bona fide trainwreck.

The film stars Matt Dillon, Thandiwe Newton, Terrence Howard, Michale Pena, Ludacris, Lorenz Tate, Don Cheadle, Sandra Bullock, Brendan Frase, Ryan Phillipe, and many more otherwise talented actors who managed to be the least likeable cast this century. The film has a runtime of 1hr 57 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>And today, we’re talking about 2004’s Crash, written and Directed by Canadian Paul Haggis, who seemed to fancy himself the perfect person to examine LA's complex race issue. This won Best Picture over Brokeback Mountian, Good Night and Good Luck, Munich, Capote, mostly because this was before The Academy had minorities it, and it reflected the myopic worldview of old, white male Academy members and how they viewed racism and people of color. But in reality, Crash was a bona fide trainwreck.

The film stars Matt Dillon, Thandiwe Newton, Terrence Howard, Michale Pena, Ludacris, Lorenz Tate, Don Cheadle, Sandra Bullock, Brendan Frase, Ryan Phillipe, and many more otherwise talented actors who managed to be the least likeable cast this century. The film has a runtime of 1hr 57 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>1ec53be3-86b5-4587-bb65-54d2ccff37bbFri, 06 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -070001:05:42truefull122221Tropic Thunder: Simple Jack and RDJ Pretending to Be BlackTropic Thunder: Simple Jack and RDJ Pretending to Be BlackReleased in 2008, Tropic Thunder is what happens when Hollywood decides the best way to mock its own ego is to crank it up to deeply unhinged levels. Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. lead the chaos as pampered actors filming a Vietnam epic who accidentally stumble into a real war zone, forcing them to confront the one thing they fear most: reality. Downey’s Oscar-nominated turn as a method actor who refuses to break character became instant comedy legend, while Brandon T. Jackson, Nick Nolte, and a scene-stealing Tom Cruise pile on the insanity.

It’s bold, hilarious, and merciless in its satire, aiming for fame, ego, and the absurd lengths actors go for “authenticity.” But nearly two decades later, some of its most infamous jokes come with an uncomfortable edge, reminding audiences that satire and offensiveness have always walked a very fine line. Runtime: 1 hour, 47 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>Released in 2008, Tropic Thunder is what happens when Hollywood decides the best way to mock its own ego is to crank it up to deeply unhinged levels. Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. lead the chaos as pampered actors filming a Vietnam epic who accidentally stumble into a real war zone, forcing them to confront the one thing they fear most: reality. Downey’s Oscar-nominated turn as a method actor who refuses to break character became instant comedy legend, while Brandon T. Jackson, Nick Nolte, and a scene-stealing Tom Cruise pile on the insanity.

It’s bold, hilarious, and merciless in its satire, aiming for fame, ego, and the absurd lengths actors go for “authenticity.” But nearly two decades later, some of its most infamous jokes come with an uncomfortable edge, reminding audiences that satire and offensiveness have always walked a very fine line. Runtime: 1 hour, 47 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>fe44173e-9ff4-4eac-99bf-6e66ae0e85d6Sun, 22 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -070047:42truefull121211Saturday Night Fever: Disco Moves and Dangerous DudesSaturday Night Fever: Disco Moves and Dangerous DudesAnd today, we’re talking about John Badham’s gritty 1977 disco classic Saturday Night Fever. It follows the life of Tony Manero - a handsome yet emotionally immature young man who lives at home, but escapes the shadow of his disapproving parents by going to the 2001 Odyssey club every weekend where he is King of the Disco. He convinces a headstrong, ambitious girl from his neighborhood - Stephanie - to be his dance partner at the disco contest to prove that he’s not just a screw up and actually has something to give back to the world. And learns a little bit about sophistication and potential along the way. All the while, he hangs out with his frankly terrible friends who revel in racism, sexual assault, and violence which unfortunately rubs off on him, too. All to an iconic soundtrack from the Bee Gees which made all of this horrific behavior much easier to dance to.

The film stars John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney, Joseph Cali, Barry Miller, Paul Pape, Donna Pescow, and Julie Bravaso, and has a runtime of 1hour 59 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>And today, we’re talking about John Badham’s gritty 1977 disco classic Saturday Night Fever. It follows the life of Tony Manero - a handsome yet emotionally immature young man who lives at home, but escapes the shadow of his disapproving parents by going to the 2001 Odyssey club every weekend where he is King of the Disco. He convinces a headstrong, ambitious girl from his neighborhood - Stephanie - to be his dance partner at the disco contest to prove that he’s not just a screw up and actually has something to give back to the world. And learns a little bit about sophistication and potential along the way. All the while, he hangs out with his frankly terrible friends who revel in racism, sexual assault, and violence which unfortunately rubs off on him, too. All to an iconic soundtrack from the Bee Gees which made all of this horrific behavior much easier to dance to.

The film stars John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney, Joseph Cali, Barry Miller, Paul Pape, Donna Pescow, and Julie Bravaso, and has a runtime of 1hour 59 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>1b78a58f-0df8-44dd-afb9-04e4157744fcFri, 06 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -070001:04:46truefull120201Fatal Attraction: Betrayal, Boiled Bunnies, and Hubbies Behaving BadlyFatal Attraction: Betrayal, Boiled Bunnies, and Hubbies Behaving BadlyAnd today, we're covering Adrian Lyne's iconic 1987 film Fatal Attraction. It follows Dan Gallagher - a successful lawyer and happily married man who thinks he can have a casual, "discrete" weekend affair with the sexually independent book editor Alex Forrest. What Dan does NOT realize is that Alex is, shall we say, a bit more attached than he is. Her obsession escalates to stalking, violence, and one poor boiled bunny. As a result, the audience is basically begged to side with Dan even though he abdicates responsibility for his transgression and never fully takes responsibility. So, who is the villain here? Let's discuss!

The film stars Glenn Close, Michael Douglas, and Anne Archer and has a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes.

]]>And today, we're covering Adrian Lyne's iconic 1987 film Fatal Attraction. It follows Dan Gallagher - a successful lawyer and happily married man who thinks he can have a casual, "discrete" weekend affair with the sexually independent book editor Alex Forrest. What Dan does NOT realize is that Alex is, shall we say, a bit more attached than he is. Her obsession escalates to stalking, violence, and one poor boiled bunny. As a result, the audience is basically begged to side with Dan even though he abdicates responsibility for his transgression and never fully takes responsibility. So, who is the villain here? Let's discuss!

The film stars Glenn Close, Michael Douglas, and Anne Archer and has a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes.

]]>5b411677-d459-45db-ae61-b901f3248356Fri, 23 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -070056:24truefull119191Cruel Intentions: Sex, Sleazy Bets, and Some Step-Sibling IncestCruel Intentions: Sex, Sleazy Bets, and Some Step-Sibling IncestToday we’re diving into Cruel Intentions (1999), the teen remake of Dangerous Liaisons where rich French sociopaths are reimagined as extremely horny Manhattan step-siblings. Katherine and Sebastian pass the time manipulating classmates, wrecking reputations, and placing elaborate sex bets that would make the high school headmaster clutch his pearls. What follows is a glossy parade of betrayal, broken hearts, and moral rot served with peak ’90s fashion, prestige casting, and a movie that’s way too chill about homophobia, sexual assault, deciding who's redeemable, and who gets Sebastian's car.

The film stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillipe, Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair, Joshua Jackson, Christine Baranski, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Swoosie Kurtz, and has a run time of 1hr and 37 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song & intro video by: Spooky Dan

]]>Today we’re diving into Cruel Intentions (1999), the teen remake of Dangerous Liaisons where rich French sociopaths are reimagined as extremely horny Manhattan step-siblings. Katherine and Sebastian pass the time manipulating classmates, wrecking reputations, and placing elaborate sex bets that would make the high school headmaster clutch his pearls. What follows is a glossy parade of betrayal, broken hearts, and moral rot served with peak ’90s fashion, prestige casting, and a movie that’s way too chill about homophobia, sexual assault, deciding who's redeemable, and who gets Sebastian's car.

The film stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillipe, Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair, Joshua Jackson, Christine Baranski, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Swoosie Kurtz, and has a run time of 1hr and 37 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song & intro video by: Spooky Dan

]]>af4e43c1-70ba-4933-b019-836960c45315Wed, 31 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -070001:03:38truefull118181Love Actually: Love Is, Actually, Full of HR ViolationsLove Actually: Love Is, Actually, Full of HR ViolationsToday, we’re talking about Richard Curtis’ 2003 Christmas classic Love Actually. This ensemble film shows nine interconnected stories of love’s various forms. From the unrequited love of Sarah for Carl or Mark for Juliet; to the meet-cutes of PM David and Natalie or John and Judy; to the tales of love betrayed like with Karen and Harry, the film explores how love is not only all around, but also playful, funny, longing, and heartbreaking. And it all takes place in the 3 weeks leading up to Christmas, which makes this an instant Christmas classic, even though it may be implying that it’s totally okay to tell your direct reports to shag the hot designer in the office. 

The film has a stacked cast that includes: Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Bill Nighy, Andrew Lincoln, Kiera Knightley, Martin Freeman, Chiwetel Ejiafor, and many others, and has a run time of 2 hours and 15 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song & intro video by: Spooky Dan

]]>Today, we’re talking about Richard Curtis’ 2003 Christmas classic Love Actually. This ensemble film shows nine interconnected stories of love’s various forms. From the unrequited love of Sarah for Carl or Mark for Juliet; to the meet-cutes of PM David and Natalie or John and Judy; to the tales of love betrayed like with Karen and Harry, the film explores how love is not only all around, but also playful, funny, longing, and heartbreaking. And it all takes place in the 3 weeks leading up to Christmas, which makes this an instant Christmas classic, even though it may be implying that it’s totally okay to tell your direct reports to shag the hot designer in the office. 

The film has a stacked cast that includes: Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Bill Nighy, Andrew Lincoln, Kiera Knightley, Martin Freeman, Chiwetel Ejiafor, and many others, and has a run time of 2 hours and 15 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song & intro video by: Spooky Dan

]]>0066d606-1566-4056-a548-58688fef8f9cFri, 19 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -070056:22truefull117171Problematic Princesses: Muted Mermaids, Stockholm Syndrome, and Kissing ColonizersProblematic Princesses: Muted Mermaids, Stockholm Syndrome, and Kissing ColonizersAnd today, take a little trip with me. Once upon a time, there was a man, and that man drew a mouse, and from that mouse grew an empire. In that empire was a whole slew of princesses that were appropriated from different cultures, who are all public domain and free to use. Yay! We love a happy story. In the beginning, these princesses were very simple. They were just young little girls who needed a man to save them, and that was very simple. But then, as audiences kind of evolved, so did the princesses, and a new generation of princesses came forth, ones that were resourceful and intelligent and yet still had to get married at the end of the movie. Recently, these princesses have come under fire because, well, even though Disney princesses have evolved dramatically over the years, there's still quite a few issues with them. There's some issues with how they act. There's some issues with how they grow as people. And there are some major issues with Pocahontas.

So today we're going to tackle the so-called princess problem.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>And today, take a little trip with me. Once upon a time, there was a man, and that man drew a mouse, and from that mouse grew an empire. In that empire was a whole slew of princesses that were appropriated from different cultures, who are all public domain and free to use. Yay! We love a happy story. In the beginning, these princesses were very simple. They were just young little girls who needed a man to save them, and that was very simple. But then, as audiences kind of evolved, so did the princesses, and a new generation of princesses came forth, ones that were resourceful and intelligent and yet still had to get married at the end of the movie. Recently, these princesses have come under fire because, well, even though Disney princesses have evolved dramatically over the years, there's still quite a few issues with them. There's some issues with how they act. There's some issues with how they grow as people. And there are some major issues with Pocahontas.

So today we're going to tackle the so-called princess problem.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>be8c3445-d5da-4c56-9c06-637df85f9a61Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -070059:21truefull116161Animal House: Toga, Toga, Toga and Altogether InfantileAnimal House: Toga, Toga, Toga and Altogether InfantileThis week on Cinematix Problematix, we’re heading back to Faber College for John Landis' 1978 film Animal House, the movie that helped define frat-boy culture, brought John Belushi out of late-night and into cinemas, introduced toga parties into society, and is absolutely a minefield of 1970s “yikes.” And yes, we still kind of love it. Blame nostalgia. Or the soundtrack. Or the fact that the 1970s were lawless times.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>This week on Cinematix Problematix, we’re heading back to Faber College for John Landis' 1978 film Animal House, the movie that helped define frat-boy culture, brought John Belushi out of late-night and into cinemas, introduced toga parties into society, and is absolutely a minefield of 1970s “yikes.” And yes, we still kind of love it. Blame nostalgia. Or the soundtrack. Or the fact that the 1970s were lawless times.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>5d26edc4-c71b-4ca4-9335-2263a55e336dSat, 29 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -070055:30truefull115151Falling Down: D-Fens, Destruction, and Demented Male BehaviorFalling Down: D-Fens, Destruction, and Demented Male BehaviorToday, we’re talking about the 1993 Joel Schumacher film Falling Down. It follows a down-on-his luck man named William Foster (aka D-FENS)  over the course of a 24 hour period on a hot day in 1990’s Los Angeles. Sitting in traffic, surrounded by a cacophonous crescendo of standard LA traffic stimuli, he abandons his car in the middle of the freeway, and sets off on a cross-city trek from East LA to Venice. Along the way, he takes out all of his pent-up resentments on a murderer’s row of LA archetypes that include: a Korean shopowner, hostile Latino gang members, homeless people, fast food workers, construction workers, a neo-nazi who owns a gun shop, and - my favorite - his ex wife (who has a restraining order against him).

Join us to discuss how this film is still relevant today, as well as to revel in how disturbed Erin was watching it.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>Today, we’re talking about the 1993 Joel Schumacher film Falling Down. It follows a down-on-his luck man named William Foster (aka D-FENS)  over the course of a 24 hour period on a hot day in 1990’s Los Angeles. Sitting in traffic, surrounded by a cacophonous crescendo of standard LA traffic stimuli, he abandons his car in the middle of the freeway, and sets off on a cross-city trek from East LA to Venice. Along the way, he takes out all of his pent-up resentments on a murderer’s row of LA archetypes that include: a Korean shopowner, hostile Latino gang members, homeless people, fast food workers, construction workers, a neo-nazi who owns a gun shop, and - my favorite - his ex wife (who has a restraining order against him).

Join us to discuss how this film is still relevant today, as well as to revel in how disturbed Erin was watching it.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>2bfd8ed2-04ab-48a4-8d0e-82ae85132e43Fri, 21 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -070001:01:08truefull114141MASH: Haughty Docs, Horrible Morals, and Hot Lips O'HoulihanMASH: Haughty Docs, Horrible Morals, and Hot Lips O'HoulihanThis week on Cinematix Problematix, we’re dissecting Robert Altman's 1970 war satire MASH*, the Vietnam-era movie that pretended to be about Korea so the studio wouldn’t panic. Join us as well to deconstruct this Robert Altman classic that has recently come under fire do to, well, a lot of things. Mostly having to do with Hot Lips. 

This film sports an incredible ensemble cast of Donald Sutherland (Hawkeye Pierce), Elliot Gould (Trapper John McIntyre), Robert Duvall (Major Frank Burns), Tom Skerritt (Duke Forrest), Sally Kellerman (Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan), and many others. This film has a run time of 1 hr and 56 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>This week on Cinematix Problematix, we’re dissecting Robert Altman's 1970 war satire MASH*, the Vietnam-era movie that pretended to be about Korea so the studio wouldn’t panic. Join us as well to deconstruct this Robert Altman classic that has recently come under fire do to, well, a lot of things. Mostly having to do with Hot Lips. 

This film sports an incredible ensemble cast of Donald Sutherland (Hawkeye Pierce), Elliot Gould (Trapper John McIntyre), Robert Duvall (Major Frank Burns), Tom Skerritt (Duke Forrest), Sally Kellerman (Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan), and many others. This film has a run time of 1 hr and 56 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>858ada1b-8b12-447b-aae0-d36bfd27a770Fri, 14 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -070051:47truefull113131Song of the South: Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-a-Dee-WTF??!Song of the South: Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-a-Dee-WTF??!This week on Cinematix Problematix, we’re cracking open the Disney vault — the part they pretend doesn’t exist — to revisit the 1946 film Song of the South, a movie so controversial that even Disney+ is like, “Yeah, we’re good.” Join us as we eviscerate this Disney "classic," a movie that has the chutzpah to not only be racist, but boring. 

The film stars Ruth Warrick as Sally, Hattie McDaniel as Aunt Tempy, Bobby Discoll as lil’ Johnny, and Luanna Patton as Ginny, and the film has a brisk runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes, and is still way too long.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>This week on Cinematix Problematix, we’re cracking open the Disney vault — the part they pretend doesn’t exist — to revisit the 1946 film Song of the South, a movie so controversial that even Disney+ is like, “Yeah, we’re good.” Join us as we eviscerate this Disney "classic," a movie that has the chutzpah to not only be racist, but boring. 

The film stars Ruth Warrick as Sally, Hattie McDaniel as Aunt Tempy, Bobby Discoll as lil’ Johnny, and Luanna Patton as Ginny, and the film has a brisk runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes, and is still way too long.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>ad85d4a1-e619-4e63-80fd-c696b3d3ab3cFri, 07 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -070047:32truefull112121Gone with the Wind: Sass, Slavery, and Scorching ChemistryGone with the Wind: Sass, Slavery, and Scorching ChemistryThis week on Cinematix Problematix, we tackle Gone With the Wind: Hollywood’s glamorous love letter to the Confederacy, complete with plantation nostalgia, enslaved people who “love” their captors, and a heroine who treats the Civil War like an inconvenient garden party. Scarlett O’Hara shines as a heroine who can charm her way out of starvation, while the film clings to a fantasy where slavery was mild inconvenience to a few people and that the Civil War was for States Rights.. It’s epic, it’s iconic, and it’s a three-hour denial of history wrapped in great costumes and moral rot. Please enjoy. 

This film stars Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Hattie MacDaniel, Olivia de Havilland, Butterfly McQueen, and Leslie Howard, and has an epic-worthy runtime of 3 hrs 58 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>This week on Cinematix Problematix, we tackle Gone With the Wind: Hollywood’s glamorous love letter to the Confederacy, complete with plantation nostalgia, enslaved people who “love” their captors, and a heroine who treats the Civil War like an inconvenient garden party. Scarlett O’Hara shines as a heroine who can charm her way out of starvation, while the film clings to a fantasy where slavery was mild inconvenience to a few people and that the Civil War was for States Rights.. It’s epic, it’s iconic, and it’s a three-hour denial of history wrapped in great costumes and moral rot. Please enjoy. 

This film stars Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Hattie MacDaniel, Olivia de Havilland, Butterfly McQueen, and Leslie Howard, and has an epic-worthy runtime of 3 hrs 58 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>036285c1-1b49-4ba9-aa27-528ec6b95d77Fri, 31 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -070052:00truefull111111Showgirls: Glitter, Greed, Gina Gershon, and Glorious CampShowgirls: Glitter, Greed, Gina Gershon, and Glorious CampToday, we’re talking about the 1995 Paul Verhoeven film Showgirls. The film tells the tale of Nomi - a bright-eyed but street smart dancer who makes it to Vegas with nothing but dance leggings, a knife, a penchant for thrashing wildly, and a dream. While auditioning for a Vegas show, she catches the eye of aging starlet Cristal Conners and her lover/casino Entertainment Director, Zack Carey, which results in a vicious yet sexy tug of war for who will become queen of the stage. The fighter that she is (literally), Nomi is determined to not be taken advantage of while she turns to the dark side to take Cristal’s place as darlin’ of the Las Vegas strip. 

The film stars Elizabeth Berkley, Kyle MacLachlan, Gina Gershon, Glenn Plummer, Robert Davi, and Ungela Brockman and has a run time of 2 hours 11 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>Today, we’re talking about the 1995 Paul Verhoeven film Showgirls. The film tells the tale of Nomi - a bright-eyed but street smart dancer who makes it to Vegas with nothing but dance leggings, a knife, a penchant for thrashing wildly, and a dream. While auditioning for a Vegas show, she catches the eye of aging starlet Cristal Conners and her lover/casino Entertainment Director, Zack Carey, which results in a vicious yet sexy tug of war for who will become queen of the stage. The fighter that she is (literally), Nomi is determined to not be taken advantage of while she turns to the dark side to take Cristal’s place as darlin’ of the Las Vegas strip. 

The film stars Elizabeth Berkley, Kyle MacLachlan, Gina Gershon, Glenn Plummer, Robert Davi, and Ungela Brockman and has a run time of 2 hours 11 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>a6371299-f519-46a0-b137-5e21e0585d32Fri, 24 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -070055:05truefull110101Milk Money: Hookers, Homework, and HijinksMilk Money: Hookers, Homework, and HijinksToday, we're talking about Richard Benjamin's 1994 film Milk Money. The film tells the tale of young Frank, who along with two adolescent friends of his, decide to hire a hooker named V to see what boobies look like. However, V has an abusive pimp and Frank offers to hide her in his treehouse, as young boys tend to do with prostitutes they just met. She then meets Frank's dad Tom who is immediately smitten, yet unaware that V is living in the treehouse. Long story short, a predictable love story develops between V and Tom with V's abusive pimp on her tail, and hijinks ensue.

The film stars Melanie Griffith, Ed Harris, Michael Patrick Carter, Malcom McDowell, Anne Heche, and Philip Bosco, and has a runtime of 1hr and 50 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>Today, we're talking about Richard Benjamin's 1994 film Milk Money. The film tells the tale of young Frank, who along with two adolescent friends of his, decide to hire a hooker named V to see what boobies look like. However, V has an abusive pimp and Frank offers to hide her in his treehouse, as young boys tend to do with prostitutes they just met. She then meets Frank's dad Tom who is immediately smitten, yet unaware that V is living in the treehouse. Long story short, a predictable love story develops between V and Tom with V's abusive pimp on her tail, and hijinks ensue.

The film stars Melanie Griffith, Ed Harris, Michael Patrick Carter, Malcom McDowell, Anne Heche, and Philip Bosco, and has a runtime of 1hr and 50 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Kristina “Krissie” Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>cbc5a6a8-3090-4789-ae34-467e7195192cFri, 17 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -070036:19truefull1991St. Elmo's Fire: Good Looks, Booze, Credit Cards, and Garbage MoralsSt. Elmo's Fire: Good Looks, Booze, Credit Cards, and Garbage MoralsToday, we’re talking about Joel Schumacher’s 1985 film St. Elmo’s Fire about - as IMBd puts it - “A group of friends, just out of college, struggle with adulthood.” And that is putting it kindly. The film begins with Jules, Kirbo, Billy, Wendy, Alec, Leslie, and Kevin all graduating from Georgetown and diving head first into the deep end of adulthood with nothing but privilege, good looks, booze, credit cards, and penchant for being complete jerks. As a matter of fact, the film should receive an award for the sheer amount of atrocious behavior demonstrated by our fashionably disastrous group of so-called adult protagonists. And all of it is passed off as charismatic, relatable, harmless tomfoolery which I can only justify by saying “Hey, it was the 80’s!”

The film stars Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Mare Winningham, Judd Nelson, and Andie MacDowell and has a run time of 1 hour and 50 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>Today, we’re talking about Joel Schumacher’s 1985 film St. Elmo’s Fire about - as IMBd puts it - “A group of friends, just out of college, struggle with adulthood.” And that is putting it kindly. The film begins with Jules, Kirbo, Billy, Wendy, Alec, Leslie, and Kevin all graduating from Georgetown and diving head first into the deep end of adulthood with nothing but privilege, good looks, booze, credit cards, and penchant for being complete jerks. As a matter of fact, the film should receive an award for the sheer amount of atrocious behavior demonstrated by our fashionably disastrous group of so-called adult protagonists. And all of it is passed off as charismatic, relatable, harmless tomfoolery which I can only justify by saying “Hey, it was the 80’s!”

The film stars Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Mare Winningham, Judd Nelson, and Andie MacDowell and has a run time of 1 hour and 50 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>96fbd15f-4e06-4491-857c-c97f55464143Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -070001:18:07truefull1881The Toy: Daddy, I Want That Black Man!The Toy: Daddy, I Want That Black Man!Today, we’re talking about the 1982 film The Toy starring Richard Pryor as Jack Brown - a struggling writer who gets hired by the affluent U.S. Bates to be a friend to his lonely but incredibly spoiled child, Eric.  You see, Eric just wants to be loved and hugged, but he also wants a full grown black man to dress in Spider Man costumes that he can torment for his own amusement. So he’s also a little f$%@ing demon. The film centers around the growing and unlikely friendship between Jack and lil’ Eric, where Eric eventually comes to see Jack as - GASP! - an actual human being.

The film stars Richard Pryor, Jackie Gleason, Ned Beatty, and Scott Schwartz and has a runtime of 1hr 42 min.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>Today, we’re talking about the 1982 film The Toy starring Richard Pryor as Jack Brown - a struggling writer who gets hired by the affluent U.S. Bates to be a friend to his lonely but incredibly spoiled child, Eric.  You see, Eric just wants to be loved and hugged, but he also wants a full grown black man to dress in Spider Man costumes that he can torment for his own amusement. So he’s also a little f$%@ing demon. The film centers around the growing and unlikely friendship between Jack and lil’ Eric, where Eric eventually comes to see Jack as - GASP! - an actual human being.

The film stars Richard Pryor, Jackie Gleason, Ned Beatty, and Scott Schwartz and has a runtime of 1hr 42 min.

CREDITS

Hosted by: Erin Maxwell & Kristina “Krissie” Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>4507dbd1-f7e0-4ffc-9168-e3c0ec342fe9Fri, 03 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -070041:21truefull1771The Blue Lagoon: Kissing Cousins, Coming of Age, and Constant CringeThe Blue Lagoon: Kissing Cousins, Coming of Age, and Constant CringeToday, we’ll be talking about the 1980 film The Blue Lagoon, which tells the story of children Emmeline and Richard who get shipwrecked on a desert island with an alcoholic yet incredibly handy cook named Paddy. Spoiler alert: Paddy dies after drinking an entire barrel full of rum, leaving these two completely clueless children alone, with nobody to tell them that getting it on with your first cousin is kinda gross. But that didn’t stop this film from TOTALLY going there. As the kids grow up, they figure out things about their bodies and learn the hard way (pun intended) how babies are made. All of this happens while they spill out some of the most frustratingly dumb dialogue of any movie I’ve seen.

The film stars Brooke Shields, Christopher Atkins, and Leo McKern as Paddy, and has a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosts: Kristina "Krissie" Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

]]>Today, we’ll be talking about the 1980 film The Blue Lagoon, which tells the story of children Emmeline and Richard who get shipwrecked on a desert island with an alcoholic yet incredibly handy cook named Paddy. Spoiler alert: Paddy dies after drinking an entire barrel full of rum, leaving these two completely clueless children alone, with nobody to tell them that getting it on with your first cousin is kinda gross. But that didn’t stop this film from TOTALLY going there. As the kids grow up, they figure out things about their bodies and learn the hard way (pun intended) how babies are made. All of this happens while they spill out some of the most frustratingly dumb dialogue of any movie I’ve seen.

The film stars Brooke Shields, Christopher Atkins, and Leo McKern as Paddy, and has a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes.

CREDITS

Hosts: Kristina "Krissie" Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

]]>2f8cb87c-dc59-46f4-a104-0ba7bcfbd61dSat, 27 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -070043:28truefull1661Trading Places: We Knew Wall Street Was Racist But DAMNTrading Places: We Knew Wall Street Was Racist But DAMNAnd today, we’re talking about  the 1983 classic Trading Places, which tells the tale of The extremely wealthy Wall Street executives Duke brothers who decide to place a friendly bet to see if nature beats nurture. They take the star employee at their financial firm,  Louis Winthorpe III, and try to see if a destitute Black man, Billy Ray Valentine, can effectively take his place and learn the ropes of the finance world if he’s given all of the privileges of his predecessor. The Dukes' exercise their power to take away Winthorpe’s job, home, and wealth and transfer it to Valentine to see whether nature or nurture wins out. And then blackface, the n-word, and bad Jamaican accents ensue!

The film stars Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Ameche, Ralph Bellamy, and Denholm Elliot. It is directed by Jonathan Landis and has a run time of 1 hr 56 min.

CREDITS

Hosts: Erin Maxwell & Kristina "Krissie" Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

]]>And today, we’re talking about  the 1983 classic Trading Places, which tells the tale of The extremely wealthy Wall Street executives Duke brothers who decide to place a friendly bet to see if nature beats nurture. They take the star employee at their financial firm,  Louis Winthorpe III, and try to see if a destitute Black man, Billy Ray Valentine, can effectively take his place and learn the ropes of the finance world if he’s given all of the privileges of his predecessor. The Dukes' exercise their power to take away Winthorpe’s job, home, and wealth and transfer it to Valentine to see whether nature or nurture wins out. And then blackface, the n-word, and bad Jamaican accents ensue!

The film stars Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Ameche, Ralph Bellamy, and Denholm Elliot. It is directed by Jonathan Landis and has a run time of 1 hr 56 min.

CREDITS

Hosts: Erin Maxwell & Kristina "Krissie" Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

]]>35b52528-e2c6-40d1-8ea3-fd726294ee42Fri, 26 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -070038:49truefull1551Purple Rain: Misogyny, Ego, and Abuse Meet Purple Pop PerfectionPurple Rain: Misogyny, Ego, and Abuse Meet Purple Pop PerfectionToday, we’re talking about the ICONIC 1984 film Purple Rain, which stars the legendary rock/pop/soul artist Prince. It tells the story of an incredibly cocky-yet-talented young Minneapolis artist with a standing residency at the popular club First Avenue, but who is also the product of a violent household. He has a long-standing rivalry with Morris Day’s The Time, and falls in love with a smoking hot but struggling “singer” named Apollonia. The film addresses issues of domestic violence, misogyny, ego, and of course, "what’s up with that one song shit!" But these are all trifling details because the film is basically a 90 minute music video starring Prince. Which is all it really has to be.

The film stars Prince, Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day, Clarence Williams III, Jerome Benton, and The Revolution!

CREDITS

Hosts: Kristina "Krissie" Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

]]>Today, we’re talking about the ICONIC 1984 film Purple Rain, which stars the legendary rock/pop/soul artist Prince. It tells the story of an incredibly cocky-yet-talented young Minneapolis artist with a standing residency at the popular club First Avenue, but who is also the product of a violent household. He has a long-standing rivalry with Morris Day’s The Time, and falls in love with a smoking hot but struggling “singer” named Apollonia. The film addresses issues of domestic violence, misogyny, ego, and of course, "what’s up with that one song shit!" But these are all trifling details because the film is basically a 90 minute music video starring Prince. Which is all it really has to be.

The film stars Prince, Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day, Clarence Williams III, Jerome Benton, and The Revolution!

CREDITS

Hosts: Kristina "Krissie" Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

]]>5f6955bd-7b22-40d7-b4ec-2537e99597d9Wed, 24 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -070040:08truefull1441Soul Man: Blackface, Blackface, Satire, Blackface, BlackfaceSoul Man: Blackface, Blackface, Satire, Blackface, BlackfaceToday, we’re talking about the controversial 1986 film Soul Man, directed by Steve Miner. It tells the story of Mark Watson who is an affluent UCLA student who gets into Harvard Law School. The only problem is his father decides to not fund his education so that he can learn some responsibility. He tries to get loans, but can’t because his credit sucks. But then his friend tells him about a scholarship meant for Black applicants, so he buys some tanning pills and dons a jerry curl wig to get the scholarship. And hilariousness ensues! He falls in love with Rae Dawn Chong (a black student who we learn was supposed to get the scholarship), he has sex with a white woman who fetishizes black men, he gets evicted by a racist landlord, and tries unsuccessfully to play basketball. In the end, he is exposed, learns the error of his ways, and commits to giving back to the Black community.

The film stars C. Thomas Howell, Rae Dawn Chong, James Earl Jones, Arye Gross, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Melora Hardin, and Leslie Nielsen.

The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes.

Film Sins: Did we mention C. Thomas Howell is in blackface the entire time?

Hosts: Kristina "Krissie" Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>Today, we’re talking about the controversial 1986 film Soul Man, directed by Steve Miner. It tells the story of Mark Watson who is an affluent UCLA student who gets into Harvard Law School. The only problem is his father decides to not fund his education so that he can learn some responsibility. He tries to get loans, but can’t because his credit sucks. But then his friend tells him about a scholarship meant for Black applicants, so he buys some tanning pills and dons a jerry curl wig to get the scholarship. And hilariousness ensues! He falls in love with Rae Dawn Chong (a black student who we learn was supposed to get the scholarship), he has sex with a white woman who fetishizes black men, he gets evicted by a racist landlord, and tries unsuccessfully to play basketball. In the end, he is exposed, learns the error of his ways, and commits to giving back to the Black community.

The film stars C. Thomas Howell, Rae Dawn Chong, James Earl Jones, Arye Gross, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Melora Hardin, and Leslie Nielsen.

The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes.

Film Sins: Did we mention C. Thomas Howell is in blackface the entire time?

Hosts: Kristina "Krissie" Rettig & Erin Maxwell

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme song by: Spooky Dan

]]>760e40aa-28c3-46dd-8a3b-b60cde45d2a0Wed, 27 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -070051:11truefull1331Revenge of the Nerds: Frat Boys, Boobies, and the Horny UnderdogRevenge of the Nerds: Frat Boys, Boobies, and the Horny UnderdogToday, we’re talking about the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds directed by Jeff Kanew, which follows horny freshman nerds Lewis and Gilbert as they get into college, only to be bullied by the cool, jocular members of the Alpha Beta fraternity. In response to their humiliation and their sudden lack of housing at the hands of the Alpha Beta frat bullies, they not only form their own fraternity born out of the all-Black fraternity Lambda Lambda Lambda, but they challenge the jocks to various competitions at the Homecoming Carnival so that they can rule the Greek Council and get the girl(s).

The film stars Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Curtis Armstrong, Ted McGinley of Shrinking Fame, and John Goodman as the evil football coach. This film has a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Sins against it: sexual assault, voyeurism, gratuitous boobies, and infantile sexual innuendo.

CREDITS

Hosts: Erin Maxwell & Kristina "Krissie" Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

]]>Today, we’re talking about the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds directed by Jeff Kanew, which follows horny freshman nerds Lewis and Gilbert as they get into college, only to be bullied by the cool, jocular members of the Alpha Beta fraternity. In response to their humiliation and their sudden lack of housing at the hands of the Alpha Beta frat bullies, they not only form their own fraternity born out of the all-Black fraternity Lambda Lambda Lambda, but they challenge the jocks to various competitions at the Homecoming Carnival so that they can rule the Greek Council and get the girl(s).

The film stars Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Curtis Armstrong, Ted McGinley of Shrinking Fame, and John Goodman as the evil football coach. This film has a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Sins against it: sexual assault, voyeurism, gratuitous boobies, and infantile sexual innuendo.

CREDITS

Hosts: Erin Maxwell & Kristina "Krissie" Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

]]>3a750899-7da4-4958-8765-41d77834d464Tue, 26 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -070054:06truefull1221Sixteen Candles: Forgotten Birthdays, Underwear, and All Sense of DecencySixteen Candles: Forgotten Birthdays, Underwear, and All Sense of DecencyToday, we’re talking about the 1984 John Hughes classic Sixteen Candles, which is about a girl who turns sweet 16 only to have her quirky family entirely forget it on the eve of her sister’s wedding. It all takes place in the span of 24 hours where we get to witness teen longing, horniness, general slapstick hijinks, and a TON of dialogue and plot points that would NEVER pass muster today.

The film stars the 80’s teen icon Molly Ringwald as Sam; Anthony Michael Hall as The Geek/Farmer Ted (the scrawny teen that stalks Sam incessantly); Michael Schoeffling as Jake Ryan (the dreamy object of Sam’s affections); Gedde Watanabe as Long Duck Dong (the whacky transfer student from China); Kramer vs. Kramer alum Justin Henry as Sam’s little jerk of a brother Mike; and Haviland Morris as the conspicuously 3-dimensional hot girl and girlfriend of Jake, Caroline.

It has a runtime of 93 minutes, about half of which is completely cringeworthy by today’s standards.

Sins against it: Sexual assault, misogyny, underwear robbery, racism, and light homophobia.

CREDITS

Hosts: Erin Maxwell & Kristina "Krissie" Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

]]>Today, we’re talking about the 1984 John Hughes classic Sixteen Candles, which is about a girl who turns sweet 16 only to have her quirky family entirely forget it on the eve of her sister’s wedding. It all takes place in the span of 24 hours where we get to witness teen longing, horniness, general slapstick hijinks, and a TON of dialogue and plot points that would NEVER pass muster today.

The film stars the 80’s teen icon Molly Ringwald as Sam; Anthony Michael Hall as The Geek/Farmer Ted (the scrawny teen that stalks Sam incessantly); Michael Schoeffling as Jake Ryan (the dreamy object of Sam’s affections); Gedde Watanabe as Long Duck Dong (the whacky transfer student from China); Kramer vs. Kramer alum Justin Henry as Sam’s little jerk of a brother Mike; and Haviland Morris as the conspicuously 3-dimensional hot girl and girlfriend of Jake, Caroline.

It has a runtime of 93 minutes, about half of which is completely cringeworthy by today’s standards.

Sins against it: Sexual assault, misogyny, underwear robbery, racism, and light homophobia.

CREDITS

Hosts: Erin Maxwell & Kristina "Krissie" Rettig

Edited by: Russ Lichter

Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

]]>b104ea1a-8c07-4d6d-a0c1-b372c3de0ea2Mon, 25 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -070047:23truefull1111