Tasteless

Two movies about unlikely friendships and learning from people different than yourself — it's Project Hail Mary vs. The Intern. Project Hail Mary and The Intern couldn't look more different on paper, but both are stories about unlikely friendships that work because two very different people are willing to learn from each other. Emily unpacks how Ryan Gosling's sci-fi survival story and Anne Hathaway's workplace comedy share a surprisingly emotional core about humility, connection, and showing up for someone who didn't ask for your help. References from the episode: LA Times interview with puppeteer James Ortiz. The Tasteless episode on what The Parent Trap has in common with The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

Two movies about chasing a better life and contending with what a name can mean—it's Anora vs. Mousehunt. Sean Baker's Oscar winner Anora and the 1997 slapstick comedy Mousehunt are both stories about people desperate to increase their position in the world and discovering that the name you carry (or don't) determines the game you're playing. Emily connects the dots between a young sex worker's bid for legitimacy and two brothers trying to cash in on an inheritance, revealing how both films interrogate class, ambition, and the American dream.

Two films where an unlikely duo are thrown together to contend with unfamiliar territory — it's Wicked vs. Rush Hour. Wicked and Rush Hour are both built on the same engine: throw two people who shouldn't get along into a world neither fully understands and watch what happens. Emily breaks down how the buddy-comedy structure powers both a Broadway-to-screen zillion dollar fantasy and a 1998 action classic along with what both films say about prejudice, partnership, and learning to see the world through someone else's eyes.

Two Thanksgiving movies about corporate greed and anonymity — it's You've Got Mail vs. Thanksgiving. You've Got Mail and Thanksgiving are both set against the holiday season and both are quietly obsessed with corporate power and the danger of not knowing who you're really dealing with. Emily draws a line between Nora Ephron's cozy rom-com and Eli Roth's slasher about Black Friday carnage, revealing how anonymity and capitalism connect two films that couldn't feel more different on the surface. A perfect listen for the post-turkey food coma.

Two movies about manipulation and unintended consequences — it's Strangers On A Train vs. The Wasp.

Two stylized films about literally fighting for what you want — it's Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World vs. Polite Society.

Two films about feeling trapped and the resulting rage — it's Eastern Promises vs. Fresh Kills. Time Codes: 1:03 Eastern Promises 6:12 Fresh Kills 21:08 Similar Themes: Feeling Trapped 26:13 Similar Themes: Impotent Rage 29:59 What Fresh Kills Does Better: Heroes and Villains 33:18 What Fresh Kills Does Better: Extra Ordinary

Two satires about class and equality — it's Triangle Of Sadness vs. Corporate Animals.

Two movies about self destruction and changing dynamics — it's Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? vs. Catfight.

Two class clowns in stories about conformity and the bonds of a shared experience — it's Full Metal Jacket vs Cadet Kelly.

Two movies about a dogged pursuit of scientific discovery and rag tag groups of likeminded people — it's Oppenheimer vs Twister.

Two movies about a desire for more and the class divide — it's Saltburn vs Big Business.