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/