What Was That, Now?
Loann West and Art Hennessey discuss current events and controversies in arts and culture.
Thu, June 15, 2023
027 - Has Peak TV Already Peaked?
Loann and Art discuss how the landscape is changing for streaming television and they wonder if the promising period of "peak tv" may already be gone. Things discussed in this episode: Peak TV Is Over, Welcome to Trough TV by Sam Adams (Slate) The Enshittification of TikTok by Cory Doctorow (Wired)
Thu, May 18, 2023
Is Summer Movie Season Officially Back?
Art and Loann start by talking about how moviegoing has changed since the pandemic, is it back to the way it used to be, or too many people happy with watching stuff at home? ( 01:00 ) Then we discuss this upcoming summer movie season, including which movies we're excited to see on the big and the films we're approaching with skepticism. (35:00)
Wed, April 26, 2023
025 - Everything Everyverse - Is Hollywood Entering Peak Multiverse?
Loann and Art discuss the success of Everything Everywhere All at Once and the recent wave of multiverse storytelling for the big and small screen. We talk a little about the history of the multiverse in fiction, how it can be used, and how to separate it from other genres and subgenres. Loann's multiverse book recommendations: The Peripheral by Charles Gibson The Doors of Eden by Adrian Tchaikovsky Art's multiverse movie recommendations: Triangle Coherence Other things of interest talked about in this episode: Recursion by Blake Crouch The Sundered World by Michael Moorecock The Man in the High Castle by Phillip K. Dick
Wed, July 12, 2017
024 - Sense8 and GLOW, Apocalyptic Shows and Summer Reading
Art and Loann are talking about some summer watches and reads. Loann is relieved that Sense8 will have a life beyond the cliffhanger ending of this most recent season, while Art thrills to the women of GLOW - the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling . We talk about how shows and movies deal with the immediate aftermath of the apocalypse as Loann chats about the third season of Fear the Walking Dead and Art contrasts and compares that with the recent film It Comes at Night . And lastly, Art and Loann talk about the books they've been reading this summer. Things discussed in this episode: Sens8 (Netflix series) Sens8 To Receive a Two Hour Finale Special on Netflix - Variety GLOW (Netflix Series) G.L.O.W. - The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (Documentary) Fear the Walking Dead It Comes at Night The Southern Reach Trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer: Book 1 Annihilation Book 2 Authority Book 3 Acceptance Before the Fall by Noah Hawley The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
Fri, June 23, 2017
023 - The Handmaid's Tale
This week Art and Loann dive into The Handmaid's Tale . Margaret Atwood's novel , published in the 1980's is now a hit series for Hulu starring Elizabeth Moss. We talk about the novel and the adaptation - how they differ, how they are the same, and what the story means to us today. Discussed in this episode: Mary McCarthy's 1996 review of the novel in the The New York Times The Handmaid's Tale is a Warning to Conservative Women - Sarah Jones, New Republic Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
Fri, June 09, 2017
022 - Wonder Woman 2017
Loann and Art talk a whole episode of Wonder Woman. This movie was high on both our lists of most anticipated summer movies, and we've both seen it and are ready to weigh in. In this show we also talk about Wonder Woman in the culture- her history and what was riding on the success of this latest incarnation of America's first female superhero! *We do not spoil any major plot points, surprises or twists. However, as always, we do warn listeners that do we review the movie in depth. We don't reveal anything much beyond what people could gather from watching a trailer for the film, or reading a typical movie review. If you're a moviegoer who doesn't even like watching trailers, come back and listen to our discussion after you've seen the movie! Things discussed in this podcast: The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore Intro music by Maeve .
Mon, May 22, 2017
021 - Summer Movie Preview 2017
Loann and Art are enjoying the good weather and looking forward to getting out of the heat and into the theaters for some summer movies! We each list our top five movies we are looking forward to this summer!
Mon, March 13, 2017
020 - We Need to Talk About Donald
Art and Loann discuss how to talk about politics in this very weird and polarized atmosphere we are living through right now! Also, Art has been reliving the O.J. Simpson Trial days with the documentary O.J. Simpson Made In America and the dramatized series American Crime Story : The People Versus O.J. Simpson , along with reading the definitive book on the trial, Jeffrey Toobin's The Run of His Life: The People Versus O.J. Simpson . Loann has been watching The Magicians .
Sat, February 04, 2017
019 - Going Rogue
Loann and Art spend the episode discussing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story . Is it good? How does it fit into the other Star Wars films? What are the politics of the Star Wars universe? Is it weird to resurrect dead actors to play cameos? WARNING: We are not spoilery, we give away no major plot points or surprises, but we do talk about the film in total. As we say in the show itself: If you still have not seen the movie, and you are the type of person who doesn't even like to see trailers or read reviews, then you may want to come back to this episode after you've seen Rogue One. Also Loann has been watching a crime thriller series from Denmark called Department Q . Art recently binged Brit Marling's new Netflix series The OA Reading list: Of Course Rogue One is Political - David Sims, The Atlantic
Sun, July 10, 2016
018 - Memorable Moviegoing Experiences
Loann and Art discuss the possibility of movie theaters becoming a niche destination and an expensive one. And then each of us talk about our top five most memorable times at the movies. Sad, embarrassing, funny and uplifting, our movie experiences span across the globe and our lives. Featured discussion topic: Is It Curtains for the Big Screen? - Financial Times Music by MaeveMusic
Fri, May 20, 2016
017- Summer Movie Preview 2016
Loann and Art talk about the movies their looking forward to seeing in the theaters this summer! That's right, these are the big, spectacular popcorn movies that are great to see with an audience looking to have a great time! And then we talk about some of culture we've been consuming lately. Loann checked out the new adaptation of J.G. Ballard's High-Rise . And Art ventured into the horror-thriller realm with two recent films about people trapped in remote areas - Green Room and The Forest .
Sun, May 08, 2016
016 - Cliffhangers - To be or not to be...continued?
Art and Loann discuss the practice of cliffhanger endings in television series, movies and the origins of the practice in some of the world's greatest literature. Warning: Though we are a spoiler-free podcast in general, we do spoil some classic works of literature and few classic movies in this episode. We also talk about the Walking Dead season finale from this year as well as some other recent movies and television series, but we don't talk specifically enough to give anything away. If you like to remain completely spoiler-free in your entertainment consumption, consider yourself fairly warned! Featured discussions: The Walking Dead The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2 Sherlock (BBC series)
Sat, March 26, 2016
015 - A.O. Scott's Critical Cri de Coeur
Loann and Art discuss A.O. Scott's new book that wrestles with the critic's place in today's cultural landscape. Featured discussion topics: Better Living Through Criticism by A. O. Scott An extract of Scott's book in The Guardian Daredevil Deadpool Between the World and Me by Ta Nahesi Coates The Bazarre of Bad Dreams by Stephen King Son of Saul
Thu, August 06, 2015
014 - Of Ant Men and Missions Impossible
Loann and Art discuss two recent summer movies and then enter a discussion of the current trend towards movie remakes, reboots and sequels. Featured discussion: Ant Man Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation True Detective Sens8 Other things discussed: George R.R. Martin's feelings on Marvel Villians The Trinity Syndrome Daredevil Cedar Rapids Going Clear (The Scientology Documentary) The Hunt Hannibal
Wed, July 22, 2015
013 - Summer Movies 2015 Halftime Report
It's the halfway point of the summer movie season and Loann and Art have seen some of the big movies that have been released so far. Summer movies discussed this episode: Avengers: Age of Ultron Jurassic World Mad Max: Fury Road Minions Love and Mercy Other things discussed: A Million Ways to Die in the West Ted & Ted 2 Seth Mcfarlane sings Cyndi Lauper's hits as Stewie and Peter Griffin. It Follows Supercut video of cell phones not working in movies.
Wed, February 04, 2015
012 - Charlie Hebdo and Satire
This week Loann and Art talk about the aftermath of the attack on the satirical French publication Charlie Hebdo , and the discussion ranges into the types of satire and how it is received by those in power and those out of power. Also, we talk about what we've consuming culturally. Loann has finished David Mitchell's new novel The Bone Clocks and Art was really taken with the movie Frank , starring Michael Fassbender in a mask for the entire movie.
Tue, September 09, 2014
011 - Robin Williams and Where Are the Movies For Adults?
Robin Williams will be missed. A big career and an even bigger personality. Loann and Art talk about their memories of his performances and his impact on the culture. And, are movie theaters even a place for adults seeking serious drama? Reading List: What Happened to Original Movies Aimed at Adults? by Richard Brody
Tue, August 19, 2014
010 - Translation Troubles and Female Movie Hero Woes
Art and Loann talk about the fate of foreign books in translation when it comes to the English speaking book markets. And, modern female movie characters often blaze onto the screen with brains and skills, but then recede so the the male characters can take center stage. Is this becoming a problem? Reading list: Can Books Cross Borders? By Tim Parks We're losing all our Strong Female Characters to Trinity Syndrome By Tasha Robinson
Fri, June 27, 2014
009 - Tom Cruise & Dragons Underperform and 70's Political Paranoia Today
How to Train Your Dragon 2 and Edge of Tomorrow are getting great reviews, (and Loann and Art have each seen one of them.) However, they are not meeting box office projections, so what does that mean for the studios and the stars. And, 70's movies like The Conversation made audiences feel creeped out about the surveillance state, but where are those stories being told today?
Fri, June 13, 2014
Episode 8 - Young Adult Lit and Conservative Comedy
Loann and Art, in true young boy and girl detective spirit, track down the arguments for and against grown-ups reading Young Adult literature. And, where are all the conservative comedians? Is the comedy industry a liberal stronghold? We also discuss what our cultural consumption over the past few weeks. Reading List: Against YA; Should Adults Be Embarassed to Read Children's Books Can Conservatives Be Funny? By Frank Rich
Sat, May 31, 2014
Episode 7 - Trigger Warnings and Spoilers
This week we discuss the controversy over the concept of trigger warnings in academia, spoilers in the age of on-demand and what makes a good season finale. Also, we give our impressions of two new summer movies: Godzilla and X-Men: Days of Future Past . Links of Note: New York Times on Trigger Warnings. Novelist Jay Caspian Kahn on the effect of trigger warnings on artists .
Thu, May 15, 2014
Episode 6 - Summer Movies 2014
Loann and Art discuss the big summer movies on the slate for 2014, as well as some smaller films that might fly under the radar. We also talk about how the summer movie season starts earlier every year. And we recommend some books we've read recently. Here is a link to the chart of how Godzilla has grown over the years.
Mon, December 23, 2013
What Was That, Now? Episode #5
Loann and Art discuss the big movies coming out during the holiday season, how biopics figure into that list, and how movies are continually focusing on survival. Music in this episode is from Maeve.
Sun, November 24, 2013
What Was That, Now? Episode #4
Loann and Art discuss the onslaught of biographical movies and how filmmakers adapt literary creations. Also, it has been the summer of big show trials around the country, including here in Boston. We discuss some of the bigger ones. And we talk about what culture we've been consuming.
Mon, August 12, 2013
What Was That, Now? Episode #3
Loann and Art discuss more summer movies, including Pacific Rim and the disastrous box office performance of The Lone Ranger. And we look at the emerging success of Netflix Original Series, such as House of Cards, Hemlock Grove, Arrested Development and the brand new Orange is the New Black.
Sun, July 14, 2013
What Was That, Now? Episode #2
In this week's episode, Art and Loann discuss the passing of horror writer Richard Matheson and how an artist deals with critics and fans. Also, we catch up on the summer movie season, discussing some of the films each of us has seen. We also chat about what culture we've been consuming lately.
Fri, May 03, 2013
What Was That, Now? Episode #1
In this week's episode, Art Hennessey and Loann discuss what it was like to be living in Boston during the Marathon Bombings. Also, the passing of Roger Ebert and the upcoming summer movie season. Finally, Art and Loann discuss their recent cultural consumption.
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