Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Brenna Clarke Gray and Joe Lipsett

It's time for a Brenna pick as we tackle Jandy Nelson's 2010 story of sibling grief, as well as Josephine Decker's 2022 adaptation. It's a bit magical, a bit too busy and filled with extremely messy characters who are grieving.
The film is visually exciting, but sometimes feels at odds with its emotional resonance (and features no chemistry between either love pair). Overall: Brenna teared up and Joe found it too long.
Reference: "Josephine Decker Talks ‘The Sky Is Everywhere,’ Visualizing Emotions & More [Interview]" The Playlist.
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:
> Brenna: @brennacgray
> Joe: @bstolemyremote
Have something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:
> July 21: Cousins by Virginia Hamilton
> Aug 18: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

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Wanna read/watch something gross? Well we have you covered! This month's Banned Book Club is tackling Charlotte Roche's notorious, controversial German bestseller Wetlands (2008) and David Wnendt's 2013 film adaptation.
Using insights from Laura (who originally brought this to our attention), as well as Miriam, Juha, Victoria and Tea, Books & Chocolate, we tackle the gross out factor, ponder the "feminist" interpretation, and critique the ending.
Plus: why is the film more palatable? How delightful is star Carla Juri? And, that age old question: are we just prudes?
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:
> Brenna: @brennacgray
> Joe: @bstolemyremote
Have something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:
> July 21: Cousins by Virginia Hamilton
> Aug 18: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

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It's the end of the road for Disney+ & Hulu's Love, Victor, which is sad and disappointing. Sad because Brenna, Joe and special guest Terry Mesnard still love these characters, and disappointing because this final season...isn't very good.
Whether it was always designed to end here, these last eight episodes seem to forget basic plot and character beats from earlier seasons, particularly issues of class.
Plus: Doing Pilar dirty, our eternal love for Felix and male friendships and discussion about Victor's "Bravery" (aka Gay) award.
Joe & Terry's written coverage:
-Love, Victor S3 Part 1. Gayly Dreadful
-Love, Victor S3 Part 2. QueerHorrorMovies
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:
-Brenna: @brennacgray
-Joe: @bstolemyremote
-Terry: @gaylydreadful
Have something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:
-June 23: Wetlands by Charlotte Roche
-July 23: Cousins by Virginia Hamilton

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We're late to the party, but it's time to talk about the exceedingly cute Heartstopper, which has taken the world by storm!
The family friendly queer Netflix juggernaut is adorkable in both comic and TV form, and while we take issue with the suggestion that this is an "ideal" for queer media depiction, the inclusion of a trans girl, male bisexuality and male eating disorders is important.
Plus: Tao's less complicated TV interpretation, why Isaac is Joe's fave, and MVP stuntcasting from Stephen Fry and Olivia Colman.
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:
-Brenna: @brennacgray
-Joe: @bstolemyremote
Have something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:
-June 23: Wetlands by Charlotte Roche
-July 23: Cousins by Virginia Hamilton

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For the first time in the show's history, we travel to South America to discuss Netflix's Brazilian series Back To 15. The time travel series features likeable actors and a fun, Being Erica-esque premise about fixing the mistakes of the past, though it maintains too tight a focus on Anita at the expense of its more interesting supporting cast.
We talk about the odd North American critiques of the show, debate about what is "messy interesting" and Joe has some issues with the trans storyline. Overall this is slight, but mostly fun!
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:
-Brenna: @brennacgray
-Joe: @bstolemyremote
Have something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:
-June 23: Wetlands by Charlotte Roche
-July 23: Cousins by Virginia Hamilton

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ohhh we're nervous for this one! We know that RJ Palacio's 2012 book Wonder and Stephen Chbosky's 2017 film adaptation have a lot of devoted fans and while we're able to acknowledge the light it has shone on disability, we have some pretty major reservations about the storytelling (in the book) and the casting (in the film). From Palacio's inspiration for the story (and the creation of her Wonder mini-empire) to Auggie's perfection to the fear of acknowledging that this is disability to the inspiration porn of it all.
Plus: why is Via the most interesting character? Why is class, race and queer sidelined? Why were disabled actors auditioned if the role went to an able-bodied actor? Problems, problems, problems
References:
> Carly Findlay. “My concerns about Wonder the film (and how to talk to your kids about Wonder)”
> Ariel Henley. “What “Wonder” Gets Wrong About Disfigurement and Craniofacial Disorders.” Teen Vogue
> Ariel Henley. ‘Wonder Is a 'Feel-Good' Movie That Needed More Realism.’ The Atlantic
> Mike Moody. “Review: Wonder by R.J. Palacio” Disability in Kidlit
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:
- Brenna: @brennacgray
- Joe: @bstolemyremote
Have something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:
- June 23: Wetlands by Charlotte Roche
- July 23: Cousins by Virginia Hamilton

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.