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It's that Meaning What Movie Club time again, folks. This month we're discussing the 1991 cops-and-robbers-who-are-also-surfers blockbuster Point Break. Not without its flaws, this is a surprisingly complex (and surprisingly progressive thriller) that even the acting chops of early-90s Keanu couldn't sink.   If you want to help keep us from resorting to robbing banks in rubber masks, join our Patreon! For as little as $3/month, you'll get access to just so much bonus content you don't even know. Go now! Patreon.com/meaningwhatpod ——— Meaning What is a product of it's no sam studios Created by Mason Hershenow Produced by Sean Ang and Christopher Scott McNeill Edited by Christopher Scott McNeill Mixed by Mason Hershenow Original music by Mason Hershenow   Advertising provided by Voxnest

Welcome to a special preview episode of our Patreon-only podcast The Subscription Show! Enjoy and we'll see you again on Thursday for our regularly scheduled programing.  This month we saw our podcast break out internationally. And by "internationally" I mean just in India. And by "our podcast" I mean specifically our episode about Moonlight. You know what, just listen to the episode. You'll see what I mean. Other topics include Space Bezos and Jackass: The Movie: The New One If you would like access to more content like this while simultaneously funding our promising expansion into the international podcasting market, consider joining our Patreon! ——— Original music by Mason Hershenow, with special contributions this episode by Sean Ang and Christopher Scott McNeill.

This week we're looking at secret agents in cinema. From the genre-defining silliness of Sean Connery's James Bond to the shaky-cam-defining realism of Matt Damon's Jason Borne, we discuss how the films defined politics and masculinity for generations, and how new generations are beginning to redefine the genre in return. If you would like to help make future commentary on Pierce Brosnan's bowties possible, join our Patreon! for as little as $3/month, you'll help keep this podcast going and get even more content in return. Patreon.com/meaningwhatpod ——— Meaning What is a product of it's no sam studios Created by Mason Hershenow Produced by Sean Ang and Christopher Scott McNeill Edited by Christopher Scott McNeill Mixed by Mason Hershenow Original music by Mason Hershenow   Advertising provided by Voxnest

This week, we discuss the tenuous relationship between the Western fine art market and the People's Republic of China. We cover the Old Summer Palace bronze heads, why westerners find it easy to love Ai Weiwei, and the Second Opium War because global conflict was the most popular means of art collecting in 19th century Europe. For more on the sacking of the Summer Palace, its bronze heads, and the theft of Looty the dog, listen to this excellent 99% Invisible episode.   If you would like to help fund Mason's one-man war against government-backed global art theft, join our Patreon! for as little as $3/month, you'll help keep this podcast going and get even more content in return. Patreon.com/meaningwhatpod ——— Meaning What is a product of it's no sam studios Created by Mason Hershenow Produced by Sean Ang and Christopher Scott McNeill Edited by Christopher Scott McNeill Mixed by Mason Hershenow Original music by Mason Hershenow   Advertising provided by Voxnest

This week we discuss one of the United States' first fine art movements—the Hudson River School—and it's inextricable relationship with Manifest Destiny. We also discuss the legacy of these two ideas in American art, and Mason rants some more about Ansel Adams. A good time is had by all.   And if you want to keep the good time going, consider joining our Patreon. There you'll find bonus content of all kinds, and be directly contributing to Mason's mission to dethrone Ansel Adams once and for all. Patreon.com/meaningwhatpod ——— Meaning What is a product of it's no sam studios Created by Mason Hershenow Produced by Sean Ang and Christopher Scott McNeill Edited by Christopher Scott McNeill Mixed by Mason Hershenow Original music by Mason Hershenow   Advertising provided by Voxnest

In his special segment Play Up, Meaning What producer and co-host Christopher Scott McNeill explores unique and innovative storytelling in video games. This month, Chris has a message about his recent experience video games and the future of the segment. Click here to donate to the McNeill's GoFundMe.   We have a Patreon, and are on Instagram and Twitter. Call to action! ——— Play Up is a product of it's no sam studios Created, written, and hosted by Christopher Scott McNeill Produced Christopher S. McNeill, with help from Mason Hershenow and Sean Ang Edited by Christopher S. McNeill Mixed by Mason Hershenow Theme music: "CopyLoop" by Mason Hershenow   Advertising provided by Voxnest

Last month we were removed from Apple Podcasts without warning or meaningful explanation. What followed was a short-lived tour through some of the reasons why turning everything into a subscription platform and expecting Big Tech to solve all our problems are two of the stupidest ideas man kind has ever had.   We have a Patreon! Help us in our mission to break the capitalist cycle gripping our education and our souls through the only effective tool you have access to: money. Patreon.com/meaningwhatpod ——— Meaning What is a product of it's no sam studios Created by Mason Hershenow Produced by Sean Ang and Christopher Scott McNeill Edited by Christopher Scott McNeill Mixed by Mason Hershenow Original music by Mason Hershenow   Advertising provided by Voxnest

For the Pride Month edition of the Meaning What Movie Club, we watched Shane Black's 2005 dark comedy Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. It's not a perfect film, but it does feature arguably the first favorable depiction of a gay man in an American action movie: Val Kilmer's delightfully blunt LA private eye "Gay" Perry. Look, this movie is a mess but its fun and it'll make you miss Robert Downey Jr. before Kevin Feige built a media empire on top of him.   We have a Patreon! Help us break even, get stuff in return, something something content creator economy go now! Patreon.com/meaningwhatpod ——— Meaning What is a product of it's no sam studios Created by Mason Hershenow Produced by Sean Ang and Christopher Scott McNeill Edited by Christopher Scott McNeill Mixed by Mason Hershenow Original music by Mason Hershenow   Advertising provided by Voxnest  

This episode contains mature content. Last week saw us briefly booted from Apple Podcasts (more on that later), so here is the episode we were going to put out on 6/17 but didn't get to for various reason. On today's episode, join the crew of the ISS Optimism as they embark on their most dangerous mission yet. With their captain incapacitated and their shuttle down behind enemy lines, will these four intrepid individuals finally uncover the dark secrets of the Crystal Void? If you'd like to read the rules of Lasers & Feelings (or play a game yourself), you can download the rules for free here. If you like what we do and want more please consider supporting our podcast. ——— Meaning What presents: Pirates of the Crystal Void Written and directed by Mason Hershenow, based on Lasers & Feelings by John Harper   Starring  Kim McMasters as Martia Roundhouse David Cox as CLOUD E.O. Christopher Scott McNeill as Tex Bramble Sean Ang as Crystal Beth And Mason Hershenow as everyone else   Produced by Sean Ang and Chris McNeill Edited by Chris McNeill Mix, Sound Design, and additional editing by Mason Hershenow Meaning What is a product of it’s no sam studios   Advertisements provided by Voxnest

This episode contains explicit content that is meant for neither work nor children. It's Pride Month, round two! This week, Mason and Sean are discussing the history of censorship of LGBTQ+ art from Robert Mapplethorpe (NSFW link) to now, and what that history can tell us about the evolution of American fine art and culture as a whole. We all discuss moral panic, religion in legislation, and deceased Republican Senator Jesse Helms. Mason rants about capitalism, Sean tries to advance the Gay Agenda, and we make an honest attempt at organically pitching our Patreon. There's something here for everyone. ——— Meaning What is a product of it's no sam studios Created by Mason Hershenow Produced by Sean Ang and Christopher Scott McNeill Edited and mixed by Mason Hershenow Original music by Mason Hershenow

Welcome to Listen Now!, a monthly mini-podcast from it's no sam studios hosted by Meaning What producer and cohost Sean Ang. This week, Sean provides a crash course in K-pop and the ways it reimagines and subverts Western popular music, often creating something entirely new in the process.   Join our Patreon and help us continue making this podcast. https://patreon.com/meaningwhatpod ——— Listen Now! is a product of it's no sam studios Created and hosted by Sean Ang. Produced by Mason Hershenow, Sean Ang, and Chris McNeill. Edited and mixed by Mason Hershenow. Theme music by Mason Hershenow.

June is LGBTQ Pride Month! This week, Mason and Sean are introducing our month-long discussion of LGBTQIA+ issues in the arts with a conversation about the annual Pride Parades: their history, their contemporary climate, and what it all can illuminate about the process of cultural minority groups moving into (and/or being coopted by) the mainstream. In other news, we have a Patreon! Head over to https://patreon.com/meaningwhatpod for the impending onslaught of bonus content every month. You'll be glad you did, and so will we.   ——— Meaning What is a product of it's no sam studios Created by Mason Hershenow Produced by Sean Ang and Christopher Scott McNeill Edited and mixed by Mason Hershenow Original music by Mason Hershenow

It's the Meaning What Movie Club! As AAPI Heritage Month draws to a close, Mason and Sean are visited by our good friend Hicham Benhallam (in his first solo appearance) to discuss the award-winning 2020 Korean-American film Minari. Go buy a bucket of Cherry Coke and watch this film like a gosh dang American.   We have a subscription program and Patreon in the works! Lots of bonus material headed your way in the coming months, so follow us on Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates. ——— Meaning What is a product of it's no sam studios Created by Mason Hershenow Produced by Sean Ang and Christopher Scott McNeill Edited and mixed by Mason Hershenow Original music by Mason Hershenow

This week, Mason and Sean are joined by abstract painter Kathleen Larsen to discuss how personal experiences and the events of the past year or so brought about a new direction for her art practice. We also discuss the shifting landscape of art Instagram, peace and conflict studies, and navigating abstract art in mediums you’re not particularly familiar with. Follow Kathleen on Instagram! And this is the untitled piece we reference!   We have a subscription program and Patreon in the works! Lots of bonus material headed your way in the coming months, so follow us on Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates. ——— Meaning What is a product of it's no sam studios Created by Mason Hershenow Produced by Sean Ang and Christopher Scott McNeill Edited by David Cox and Mason Hershenow Mixed by Mason Hershenow Original music by Mason Hershenow, with a special contribution this week from David Cox   Advertising provided by Voxnest

Mason and Sean return for part two of AAPI Heritage Month with an episode examining the outsized influence of Japanese art and Asian culture in general on modern and contemporary Western fine art. We discuss Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's In Praise of Shadows, Urban Outfitters, and whatever this ignorant garbage is. We only ever so briefly touch on the cancer that was and is Pablo Picasso, but focus is important and there's always more time later.   We have a subscription program and Patreon in the works! Lots of bonus material headed your way in the coming months, so follow us on Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates. ——— Meaning What is a product of it's no sam studios Created by Mason Hershenow Produced by Sean Ang and Christopher Scott McNeill Edited by David Cox and Mason Hershenow Mixed by Mason Hershenow Our theme music is "January: Brief" by Mason Hershenow   Advertising provided by Voxnest

Play Up is a monthly segment where Meaning What producer and co-host Christopher Scott McNeill explores unique and innovative storytelling in video games. This month, Chris talks about Canadian game designer Kan Gao's To the Moon and its roots in the 16-bit era of Chris's childhood.   We have a Patreon and Apple Podcast subscription in the works! Lots of new and exclusive content on the way, so stay tuned and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. ——— Play Up is a product of it's no sam studios Created, written, and hosted by Christopher Scott McNeill Produced Christopher S. McNeill, with help from Mason Hershenow and Sean Ang Edited by Christopher S. McNeill Mixed by Mason Hershenow Theme music: "CopyLoop" by Mason Hershenow. Sound effects provided by Freesound. Game clips, commercial segments, and third-party commentary used in accordance with fair use. For a full list of sources, email Chris at meaningwhatpod@gmail.com

May is Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States, and Sean and Mason are kicking it off with a conversation about San Francisco's Chinatown. It's an ugly history, but there's no shortage of lessons along the way. The California Society video about Arnold Genthe. *This episode has been corrected, because Mason got some names mixed up! Lewis Caroll was the author who photographed children, not CS Lewis. Meanwhile, Edward S. Curtis photographed American Indians, not TV personality Edward Sullivan. The audio should be fixed when you listen, but sometimes Libsyn and certain pod-catchers don’t cooperate.   We have a subscription program and Patreon in the works! Lots of bonus material in the works, so stay tuned, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates. ——— Meaning What is a product of it's no sam studios Created by Mason Hershenow Produced by Sean Ang and Christopher Scott McNeill Edited by David Cox and Mason Hershenow Mixed by Mason Hershenow Our theme music is "January: Brief" by Mason Hershenow   Advertising provided by Voxnest

Welcome back to the Meaning What Movie Club! This month, Mason and Sean are joined by special guest Robert Hershenow to talk about the important, influential, geniusly stupid film Blazing Saddles. We all loved this film, so get ready for a lighthearted episode! Don't worry though; next week we'll be back to normal.   Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter. ——— Meaning What is a product of it's no sam studios Created by Mason Hershenow Produced by Sean Ang and Christopher Scott McNeill Edited and mixed by Mason Hershenow Our theme music is "January: Brief" by Mason Hershenow   Advertising provided by Voxnest

Sean watched all but one of this year's nominees for Best Picture, so this week we're discussing the Academy Awards and all the things that they come with. This is a big episode full of hot takes that took Mason an extra long time to edit into something coherent, so please enjoy and tell your friends and family and associates with advertising money. *Content warning: On this episode, we discuss sexual assault in the context of the film Promising Young Woman.   Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter. ——— Meaning What is a product of it's no sam studios Created by Mason Hershenow Produced by Sean Ang and Christopher Scott McNeill Edited and mixed by Mason Hershenow Our theme music is "January: Brief" by Mason Hershenow

Welcome to Listen Now!, a monthly mini-podcast from it's no sam studios hosted by Meaning What producer and cohost Sean Ang. This week, Sean discusses the work of Serpentwithfeet and his important role in challenging thematic and sonic conventions in R&B and pop music, as well as his influence as an openly queer voice in a stubbornly conservative industry Songs featured: cherubim four ethers A Comma Amir Fellowship   Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter. ——— Listen Now! is a product of it's no sam studios Created and hosted by Sean Ang. Produced by Mason Hershenow, Sean Ang, and Chris McNeill. Edited and mixed by Mason Hershenow. Theme music by Mason Hershenow.