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Not all of us are feeling the holiday spirit, as evidenced by this last podcast recording of 2021. Instead of talking about how grateful we are that Santa decided to visit us this year, we’re remembering Christmas pasts with more muppet movies and less dental care. In Metamashina’s semi-penultimate episode, we try to unpack the weirdness of winter-themed claymation specials, subliminal holiday messaging, and which personification of climate change is worse to date: extreme heat or cold. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2021/12/27/episode-066-questionable-claymation-christmas/

Escape the heat by throwing yourself into the ocean, where fish-girls follow their dreams and land-men unfortunately disappoint. This month on Metamashina, we dive into Hans Christian Andersen’s iconic fairy tale 'The Little Mermaid' by covering some of its many movie adaptations. Highlights of the episode include a deliberation on the Prince’s Chad status, discussions on the inherent queerness of the fairy tale, and many divergences into a dreamy underwater landscape. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2021/08/03/episode-065-the-little-mermaid-has-a-knife/

Our planet is melting, so naturally it’s time to escape it. On today’s episode, we journey into space to stroke a monolith, and have an in-depth discussion on '2001: A Space Odyssey.' Episode highlights include a conversation about god(s), dark futures, the merits of hard sci-fi, and passive-aggressive AI. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2021/07/01/episode-064-hal-is-upset-space-odyssey/

What do bad breakups and cult indoctrination have in common? Resident expert on ritual sacrifice Dr. Hazel Monforton and Swedish correspondent/podcast husband David join us for an in-depth discussion on Ari Aster’s 2019 folk horror film 'Midsommar.' CW: Extremely heavy subject matter as per usual for horror films, as well as rumination on scapegoating, bad societal expectations, and sh*tty boyfriends. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2021/06/12/episode-063-hot-girl-midsommar/

On today’s episode friend of the show Katie (PoeHotDameron) joins us to discuss 'The Princess Bride.' In true podcast form, we venture to Florin, where we talk about the similarities between Darth Maul and Inigo Montoya’s thirst for revenge, and is Humperdinck humpable, actually? Bonus points are made for Buttercup’s desire for a simple life, and work/life balance in the pursuit of art. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2021/05/02/episode-062-inconceivably-the-princess-bride/

Religious panic, plagues, and fractured families are all the rage again, so Metamashina decided to get with the times and discuss the 2018 film 'Ophelia,' which ironically is not an adaptation of a Shakespearean play. In this episode we talk about nunneries, bad tropes, and complex character motivations. (Un)happy pandemic anniversary, everyone. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2021/04/01/episode-061-ophelia-2018-movie/

We’re back with another previously unreleased (archived) episode, this time from Spring 2020… since March never ended, apparently. Join us for a continuation of our ‘Women as Robots’ series, as we discuss the hit indie film 'Ex Machina.' Topics include killer toys, adaptations of the bluebeard myth, Silicon Valley bros, and our dissatisfaction over the gendering/exploitation of AI in media. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2021/03/01/episode-060-nos-ex-machina-2014/

Your early Valentine’s Day episode is a trip to Foxworth Hall as we explore VC Andrew’s 1979 FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC, along with the 1987 and 2014 movie adaptations. Covering risqué questions like “what do you think of bad mothers,” we also dive deep into the ethics of bold writing and heap high praise on the Lifetime sequel ‘Petals on the Wind,’ a movie so bad it’s good. CW: Discussions of incest between siblings, SA/dubious consent, child abuse, and child death. Show notes are available here: https://metamashina.com/2021/02/01/episode-059-flowers-in-the-attic-yes-that-flowers/

Joined by first-time guest Daniela, we ring in the new year with a retrospective look on being stuck indoors, the family drama that comes with it, and insidious respiratory pathogens—and no, we’re not talking about COVID-19. Today’s episode will cover MEXICAN GOTHIC, AKA Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s new hit novel. Tune in for a discussion on colonialism, generational trauma, and femme fatales. CW: Discussions of incest and sexual assault in relation to the book. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2021/01/02/episode-058-mexican-gothic/

Have a slice of an Americana “classic” this holiday season. Today, we explore Louisa May Alcott’s LITTLE WOMEN, along with the 2019 Greta Gerwig film adaptation. Episode Highlights: A discussion on liberal feminism as an extension of American Protestantism, Team Laurie VS Team Friedrich, and speculations on whether Alcott would be into spite-shipping. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2020/12/01/episode-057-little-women-big-liberalism/

Is Gary Oldman dressed as a vampire the aesthetic to end all aesthetics? Who is more seductive: Lucy in her red lingerie, or the Count with his luscious locks? In this rather silly discussion of Bram Stoker’s DRACULA, we examine the original 1897 novel and the 1992 film adaptation by Francis Ford Coppola, to get to the heart of these burning questions. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2020/10/31/episode-056-dracula-is-here-to-steal-your-girl/

Our first NEW recording of 2020 is all about stopping impending doom via the power of love. On today’s episode, we debut our revamped podcast with 1997’s 'The Fifth Element.' Discussion highlights include figuring out who is a Zorg fan (or really just a Gary Oldman fan), and a debate on modern sci-fi aesthetics depicting true evil in fiction. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2020/10/01/episode-055-the-fifth-element-is-kinda-hot/

With our last unreleased episode from the 2019 archives, we’re exploring an essential work in the kink and BDSM oeuvre: 2002’s ‘Secretary,’ featuring the only Mr. Gray we would like to see dom. Our focus? The psychosexual nature of Lee’s emotional acceptance, Edward’s control issues, and harassment in the workplace—with a diversion into the quirky, fantastical nature of early 2000s films. CW: Sexual content, questionable consent, BDSM, self-harm. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2020/09/01/episode-054-secretary/

It’s Southern-Fried Sapphics hour as we take a waltz back to a late 80’s/early 90’s classic of “just gals being pals.” In 1991’s 'Fried Green Tomatoes,' our exploration of the slow decline of American rural communities—and our critique of white liberal feminism—is balanced by our appreciation for food fights as stand-in sex scenes. Bonus highlights include a discussion on fried okra, chicken-fried chicken, and Shi, our resident Canadian, calling LA “the south.” Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2020/08/02/episode-053-fried-green-tomatoes-and-other-gal-pal-things/

We’re BACK after a very long hiatus, with a massive discussion on Holly Black’s THE FOLK OF THE AIR series, recorded in late 2019. Local YA experts/return guests Shannon and Chel help us determine the best use for a snake husband, AKA a “snusband,” plus how many brain cells are shared between Jude and Cardan (the answer is one). Bonus discussion: Pearls are clutched over Taryn. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2020/07/01/episode-052-too-fast-too-faerie-holly-black-folk-of-the-air/

The Season of the Witch returns, as does our special guest Dr. Hazel Monforton. This week, we talk about the cult horror classic 'Suspiria' and its 2018 remake. We also take a blood-soaked dive into its feminine aesthetic and the interpersonal relationships at play in both films. Bonus Content: Long discussions on ancient witch goddesses, along with a deep, abiding love for Tilda Swinton. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2019/10/23/episode-051-mother-suspiria-2018/

For our 2-year anniversary (and 50th episode) we journey off the well-worn path to cover the much-requested 'The Company of Wolves' by Angela Carter—both in short story and film format. This week, our thirst for unibrowed werewolves knows no bounds. We also dig deep into a discussion on the deeply feminine mythos, modernization, and aesthetic of Red Riding Hood. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2019/10/09/episode-050-in-the-company-of-woofs/

Sarah Sahim joins us for our debut Bollywood episode with our coverage of 2004’s 'Bride & Prejudice' and 2014’s 'Khoobsurat.' Tune in for a celebration of Indian filmmaking, an explanation on how to make a kiss work without showing it, kitchen party lyrics, and how to dance the Garba.(Apologies for the sound issues on this episode, as well as our disclaimer about our email.) Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2019/09/25/episode-049-bride-beautiful-in-bollywood/

This week we’re joined by Marie-Claire for our explorational into the pivotal shoujo manga 'Hana Yori Dango'(Boys Over Flowers), along with the 2018 Chinese TV adaptation 'Meteor Garden.' We talk shop about questionable hairstyles, roast the “Flower 4” on Shan Cai’s behalf, and discuss all the tropes in this definitive enemies-to-lovers coming-of-age tale. Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2019/09/10/episode-048-flower-boys-in-the-meteor-garden/

Hide under the covers when you hear the knock—the Babadook has arrived. Continuing our love of women-centered horror, we sat down to watch Jennifer Kent’s 2014 'The Babadook,' and discuss themes of motherhood, grief, and the existential dread of winter in Australia. Bonus content: a frank discussion on childhood fears and the utterly bizarre film 'Mars Attacks.' Show notes are here: https://metamashina.com/2019/08/27/episode-047-we-did-it-all-for-the-babadook/ Note: Episode edited on 13/11/2020 for quality control adjustments. Along with adjustments, previous closing sound 'Creepy Lullaby, A' by InspectorJ (https://freesound.org/people/InspectorJ/sounds/412224/) was replaced by 'Music box lullaby' by csnmedia.