Michael and Us

Latest Episodes:

#399 - Own Your Bad Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

A key moment in the evolution of the modern blockbuster, JURASSIC WORLD (2015) is a cynical reboot about cynical reboots. We discuss what this enormously popular movie says about the world that spawned it, as well as its very peculiar sexist streak you may have noticed. PLUS: Why is Canada's conservative movement so Americanized?

PREVIEW - #398 - The Cheese Stares Back Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/398-cheese-back-77885785 First, Luke breaks down exactly what's going on in the peculiar saga of noted compulsive-liar congressman George Santos. Next, Will offers an appreciation of the late New York underground filmmaker Nick Zedd and his "campy ACAB" classic POLICE STATE (1987). Finally, we all come together to share a laugh about a Guardian columnist who's having serious problems with a slice of cheese.

PREVIEW - #397 - The View from Dover Beach Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/397-view-from-77710234 After Mondo Cane it was time to watch a good movie, so we dipped back into the oeuvre of Werner Herzog. Popularly known as "the one where he hypnotized the entire cast," HEART OF GLASS (1976) and its apocalyptic vision offer some unique insights into the German maverick's view of civilization.

#396 - Mondo Argumento Jan 22, 2023

Show notes

A misanthropic catalog of shocking images from around the world, the bizarre, unpleasant, baldly racist, and extremely influential MONDO CANE (1962) was a pioneering "shockumentary." We revisit this strange and ugly artefact to discuss why it was taken so seriously in its day. Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus

PREVIEW - #395 - All the President's Films Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/395-all-films-77414105 According to official White House documents, Bill Clinton watched over 150 movies in the White House Screening Room during his presidency. In this very special episode, we discuss the films the 42nd president watched.

#394 - The View from Nowhere Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

Upon its release, Steven Soderbergh's TRAFFIC (2000) offered something novel: a cinematic tapestry that criticized America's War on Drugs. More than 20 years later, we consider its strengths, as well as the impact that time has diminished. PLUS: Let's read a little from Prince Harry autobiography, shall we? Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus

PREVIEW - #393 - Gabbo is Coming Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/393-gabbo-is-77029119 What if they made a blockbuster but the block doesn't bust? We sift through the wreckage of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's ill-fated bid for a hostile takeover of the DC cinematic universe, BLACK ADAM (2022).

#392 - Rising Expectations Jan 08, 2023

Show notes

Filmed in the aftermath of the 1970 "October Crisis" that brought martial law to Canada, Gilles Groulx's radical documentary 24 HOURS OR MORE (1973) takes a disapproving look at life in Quebec under capitalism during a moment when the postwar economic boom was receding. It's the kind of movie that isn't made anymore: a movie that questions the very premises on which society is built. Watch the movie for free: https://www.nfb.ca/film/24_hours_or_more/ Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week: https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus

#391 - The Third Annual Michael & Us Year-in-Review Extravaganza Jan 03, 2023

Show notes

As we enter 2023, it's time for our annual look back on the movies that defined our podcast over the past 12 months. In our third Year-in-Review Extravaganza, we're handing out awards for Best Movie, Worst Movie, Best End-of-History Movie, Thing We Liked Growing Up That Holds Up Relatively Well, Best Tubi Movie, and more. Will Alexandra Pelosi win an award? Will Dinesh D'Souza go home empty-handed? What about Trump vs. the Illuminati? Tune in to find out! Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus

PREVIEW - #390 - The Santa Clause 2, or The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism Jan 01, 2023

Show notes

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/76653894 If you'll indulge us, we'd like to keep the holiday spirit going a little longer by doing a deep ideological reading of one of the most important films ever made. Several years ago on this podcast, Cohost Luke was startled and delighted to discover that 1994's The Santa Clause was loaded with deep ideology . Today, we look at its long-delayed sequel, THE SANTA CLAUSE 2 (2002), to find what it tells us about our world in the Bush era.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected