Cinematix Problematix

Kristina Rettig & Erin Maxwell | Cinematix Problematix
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Film Reviews
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome, fellow cinephiles to Cinematix Problematix - where we make morally shaky excuses to still love films filled with racism, misogyny, objectification, and inappropriate sexualization. Some of these films are like your favorite uncle who you love seeing at Christmas because he makes everything more fun, but then he slips in a super racist comment over dinner and your mom says “Oh, honey, he’s just from a different time.” Movies are time capsules and filmmakers were just doing their best - their most woman and minority-hating best and we’re here to come to their defense. We’ve lost the ability to forgive, so let’s start exercising that muscle with something that brings all of us together. Movies. And Judging things. Possibly hating them. So feel free to laugh and judge with us as we go back to a different time and try to find a way to still love the movies that made us the freaky weirdos we are today. Enjoy the show!

  1. 3d ago

    South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut: Cartoons, Cussing Kids, and Canada

    And today, we're discussing Trey Parker's 1999 animated musical South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut. Anyone familiar with the Comedy Central show knows creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone leave no group unoffended in their edgy series, now on its 28th season. This time, their bigger, longer foray into film takes a satirical shot at parents misplacing blame for vulgarity in film — represented here by the Terrence and Phillip classic Asses of Fire, where they fart on people and sing catchy tunes about uncle f*****g. After Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny see the film, Terrence and Phillip's influence spreads like wildfire through South Park's kids, sending Stan's overbearing mom Sheila on a crusade to blame Canada, execute Terrence and Phillip, and wage full-scale war on their northern neighbors — all to protect the children. Along the way, writers Parker, Stone, and Pam Brady pull no punches attacking America's love of censorship, taking shots at: Jews, Blacks, Gays, a gay Satan and Saddam Hussein, lighting farts on fire, homeless people, disabled people, the mysterious clitoris, midgets, warfare, Brooke Shields, Winona Ryder, the Baldwin Brothers, Brian Boitano, women's periods, concentration camps, French Resistance Fighters, and — most egregious of all — Canadians. But it's all set to some of the catchiest musical numbers of any film musical in recent memory, so the whole thing winds up being pretty super. Thanks for asking. CREDITS Hosts: Kristina "Krissie" Rettig & Erin Maxwell Edited by: Russ Lichter Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

    South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut: Cartoons, Cussing Kids, and Canada

  2. Jul 31

    Twilight: Forks, Fangs, and Faux Feminism

    And today, we’re talking about Catherine Hardwicke’s 2008 film Twilight, based on the book series written by Stephanie Meyer. It tells the story of an introverted teenaged girl named Bella who moves to live with her Dad in a small, eternally gloomy Washington town called Forks. It’s here where she meets the Cullen clan - a group of adopted kids all dating each other except for the mysterious Edward, who she develops an immediate crush on despite him alternating between complimenting her, negging her, and acting like he’s going to throw up on her. But as their love blooms in the most awkward way possible, their clumsy courtship leads to the revelation that Edward is a vampire. He’s also possessive, a bit of a gaslighter, and totally controlling, but hey his skin glimmers in the sunlight and his hair is perfect, so what else do you need to make those blood red flags turn green? The film stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattison, Taylor Lautner, Peter Facinelli, Anna Kendrick, and Billy Burke, and has a runtime of 2hours and 2 minutes. CREDITS Hosts: Erin Maxwell & Kristina "Krissie" Rettig Edited by: Russ Lichter Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

    Twilight: Forks, Fangs, and Faux Feminism

  3. Jul 17

    Airplane: Jokes, Jets, and Jive

    Today, we’re talking about the 1980 film Airplane, written and directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker.This irreverent parody tells the tale of Ted Striker, an ex-war pilot paralyzed by PTSD who impulsively boards the flight of airline stewardess Elaine to try to win her love back. But Ted’s inability to let go of his wartime failures elicits constant rejections from Elaine, until a deadly fish dinner takes down all the pilots and makes Ted reluctantly spring into action. Along the way, we get a series of hilarious antics from a colorful cast of characters, from two Black passengers speaking jive, an eight year old who prefers her coffee like her men, a glue-sniffing air traffic controller, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, June Cleaver, and a pilot who might just be a pedophile. Problematic? Surely, you can’t be serious. The film stars Robert Hayes, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves, Robert Stack, and Otto the Inflatable Auto Pilot, and has a runtime of I hour 28 minutes. CREDITS Hosts: Kristina "Krissie" Rettig & Erin Maxwell Edited by: Russ Lichter Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

  4. Jun 29

    Weird Science: Sexy Simulations and Statuory Situations

    Today, we're talking about John Hughes' 1985 film Weird Science, which sees high school geeks Gary and Wyatt Create Lisa - a computer-generated girl that will be the answer to their their dateless, sexless lives. Much to their surprise, Lisa winds up THEIR master as she concocts several scenarios to boost their popularity and show the rest of the school they're more courageous than they seem. But this wouldn't be a John Hughes joint without some truly problematic behavior by today's standards. From building a girl from magazine spreads, to an older hot woman seducing some teens, to Chet... well, being Chet... Like all other John Hughes fare, this teen comedy delivers ample amounts o humor, angst, and cringe and we're here for it. The films stars Anthony Michael Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Kelly LeBrock, Bill Paxton, and Robert Downey Jr and has a runtime of 1 hour 34 minutes. CREDITS Hosts: Kristina "Krissie" Rettig & Erin Maxwell Edited by: Russ Lichter Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

    Weird Science: Sexy Simulations and Statuory Situations

  5. Jun 14

    Wild Things: Sex, Swamps, and Sin

    And today, we’re talking about John McNaughton’s 1998 film Wild Things. It takes place in a steamy, affluent Florida town where the hot, popular high school teacher Sam Lombardi draws longing glances from his female students. In particular, Kelly van Ryan - a shamelessly flirtatious student who will stop at nothing to get his attention. But horny teenage antics take a much more serious turn when she accuses him of rape. As does Suzie Toller, a foul-mouthed, pot-smoking loner from the other side of the tracks who has a mysterious past with the cop investigating the case. But you would be sorely mistaken if you think that the film takes any of this subject matter seriously. Oh noooo. What we have is a film soaking in wet t-shirts, arched backs, threesomes, sexual exploitation, and a huge splash of campy humor. This is a film unabashedly submerged in the male gaze, but takes itself so unseriously that you can’t help but enjoy the ride watching these Wild Things gleefully stab each other in the back. The film stars Matt Dillon, Denise Richards, Neve Campbell, Kevin Bacon, Kevin’s Bacon, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Theresa Russell, Robert Wagner, and Bill Murray, and has a runtime of 1 Hour and 48 minutes. CREDITS Hosts: Erin Maxwell & Kristina "Krissie" Rettig Edited by: Russ Lichter Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

    Wild Things: Sex, Swamps, and Sin

  6. May 29

    Heathers: Croquet, Corn Nuts, and Cruelty

    And today, we're talking about Michael Lehmann's 1989 high school black comedy Heathers. It follows the most popular girl clique in school completely composed of girls named Heather, save for one Veronica Sawyer who's conscience stands in stark contrast to the mean girl energy of her other clique-mates. Complicating things further is the arrival of J.D. - a dark, mysterious new student who taps into Veronica's secret disdain for her vicious and shallow friend group, and eventually manipulates her into one murderous scheme after another. While this cult classic remains popular for having one of the most quotable scripts of the 80's, it can also strike a nerve in today's audiences for its casual handling of suicide, school shootings, and terrible boyfriends. The film stars Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty, Kim Walker, and Lisanne Falk and has a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes.

    Heathers: Croquet, Corn Nuts, and Cruelty

  7. May 16

    [RERUN] Revenge of the Nerds: Frat Boys, Boobies, and the Horny Underdog

    [In honor of the passing of Donald Gibb, we're re-releasing one of our Revenge of the Nerds episode in his honor. R.I.P, Ogre.] Today, we’re talking about the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds directed by Jeff Kanew, which follows horny freshman nerds Lewis and Gilbert as they get into college, only to be bullied by the cool, jocular members of the Alpha Beta fraternity. In response to their humiliation and their sudden lack of housing at the hands of the Alpha Beta frat bullies, they not only form their own fraternity born out of the all-Black fraternity Lambda Lambda Lambda, but they challenge the jocks to various competitions at the Homecoming Carnival so that they can rule the Greek Council and get the girl(s). The film stars Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Curtis Armstrong, Ted McGinley of Shrinking Fame, and John Goodman as the evil football coach. This film has a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. Sins against it: sexual assault, voyeurism, gratuitous boobies, and infantile sexual innuendo. CREDITS Hosts: Erin Maxwell & Kristina "Krissie" Rettig Edited by: Russ Lichter Theme Song by: Spooky Dan

    [RERUN] Revenge of the Nerds: Frat Boys, Boobies, and the Horny Underdog

  8. May 1

    Mommie Dearest: Wire Hangers, Wigs & Wholesale Wickedness

    And today, we’re talking about 1981’s Frank Perry film Mommie Dearest. Based on the best-selling book by Christina Crawford, it depicts in VIVID detail the abuse she suffered at the hands of her movie star mother, Joan Crawford. It follows Joan’s initial desires to have a child and difficulties with adopting Christina and her brother Christopher, to not-so-gently catapulting the audience into a near-endless parade of cringe-inducing scenes depicting escalating child abuse. Rocketing this film into its camp classic status is an iconic performance by Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford, as she goes FULL F*****G HAM to show Crawford’s perfectionism, alcoholism, manic-depression, and especially her disdain for wire hangers. The delicious scenery-chewing of Dunaway’s performance paired with a problematic marketing campaign from Paramount may have launched this into camp classic status, but it’s worth discussing if rampant child abuse is the best use of your marketing dollars, especially when it winds up being this f*****g funny. The film stars Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid, Mara Hobel, Steve Forrest, Rutanya Alda, and has a runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes. Hosted by: Kristina "Krissie" Rettig & Erin Maxwell Edited by: Russ Lichter Theme song by: Spooky Dan

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Welcome, fellow cinephiles to Cinematix Problematix - where we make morally shaky excuses to still love films filled with racism, misogyny, objectification, and inappropriate sexualization. Some of these films are like your favorite uncle who you love seeing at Christmas because he makes everything more fun, but then he slips in a super racist comment over dinner and your mom says “Oh, honey, he’s just from a different time.” Movies are time capsules and filmmakers were just doing their best - their most woman and minority-hating best and we’re here to come to their defense. We’ve lost the ability to forgive, so let’s start exercising that muscle with something that brings all of us together. Movies. And Judging things. Possibly hating them. So feel free to laugh and judge with us as we go back to a different time and try to find a way to still love the movies that made us the freaky weirdos we are today. Enjoy the show!

Information

  • Creator
    Kristina Rettig & Erin Maxwell | Cinematix Problematix
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025, Cinematix Problematix. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Cinematix Problematix

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