Criticism Is Dead

Latest Episodes:

Shrinking, Sharper, and congrats to these celeb couples Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

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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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Lockwood & Co, Somebody I Used to Know, and big red boots Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

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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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

To Leslie, Paul T. Goldman, and Pedro Pascal Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

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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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Aftersun, Poker Face, and Andrea Riseborough Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

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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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Elvis, The Makanai, and Sundance Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

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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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Grab bag: The Traitors, Babylon, Fleishman Is in Trouble, and more Jan 17, 2023

Show notes

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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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Glass Onion, Triangle of Sadness, and good for M3GAN Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

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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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

The best movies and TV shows of 2022 (in our opinion) Dec 20, 2022

Show notes

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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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Emily the Criminal, Decision to Leave, and The White Lotus s2 finale Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

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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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Wednesday, The Big Brunch, and Sight & Sound's greatest films of all time Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

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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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

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