Film Reviews
**Criticism Is Dead**

A weekly podcast about the film, TV, and culture we’re consuming and what it all means (if it means anything at all). Hosted by producer and writer Pelin Keskin-Liu and culture writer and critic Jenny G. Zhang.

Latest Episodes:

An announcement Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

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

SUCCESSION SENDOFF: "With Open Eyes" May 29, 2023

Show notes

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

Barry, Yellowjackets, and mini grab bag May 23, 2023

Show notes

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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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

SUCCESSION SENDOFF: "Church and State" May 22, 2023

Show notes

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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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

SUCCESSION SENDOFF episode 8: "America Decides" May 15, 2023

Show notes

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

In episode 8 “America Decides,” THIS IS WHAT AMERICA LOOKS LIKE etc.

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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

The Diplomat, How to Blow Up a Pipeline, and writers strike May 09, 2023

Show notes

We discuss The Diplomat and How to Blow Up a Pipeline, a series and a film about political maneuvering — whether from the backroom or from on the ground.

02:59 Netflix’s The Diplomat, a soapy and snappy political and marital thriller, is tailor-made for fans of The West Wing and Keri Russell.

22:54 How to Blow Up a Pipeline, available in theaters/VOD, could use a touch more texture in its too-neat package, but is nevertheless affecting — almost radical, even.

40:37 Plus, shout out to the striking writers!

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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

SUCCESSION SENDOFF episode 7: "Tailgate Party" May 08, 2023

Show notes

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

In episode 7 "Tailgate Party," a long-stewing showdown finally brings the naked truth to light.

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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

SUCCESSION SENDOFF episode 6: "Living+" feat. Andrew Liu May 01, 2023

Show notes

Episode Notes

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. In episode 6 “Living Plus,” the kids are in LA for Investor Day. ... 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

SUCCESSION SENDOFF episode 5: "Kill List" feat. Alison Herman Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

Show Notes

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. This week we're joined by Variety's TV critic, Alison Herman. In episode five, "Kill List", the Waystar-Royco squadron meet their GoJo counterparts in Norway to try and finish the deal, but negotiations get inevitably trickier than they anticipated. ...