139 episodes

Movies that Matter is the podcast going beyond basic film criticism to boldly explore a social issue affecting people's lives.

Movies That Matter Nicole Funari

    • TV & Film
    • 4.4 • 21 Ratings

Movies that Matter is the podcast going beyond basic film criticism to boldly explore a social issue affecting people's lives.

    • video
    2024 Oscar Show: Design and Animated Awards

    2024 Oscar Show: Design and Animated Awards

    Nicole, Lexy, and Stacy tackle the Oscars covering costume, production design, song and animated films. We share our thoughts on the nominees and the films we saw in 2023. 
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    • 26 min
    • video
    2024 Oscar Show: Performances

    2024 Oscar Show: Performances

    Nicole, Lexy, Justin, and Stacy tackles the Oscars covering the best performances-- supporting actor/actress and leading actor/actress. We share our thoughts on the nominees and the films we saw in 2023. 

    • 49 min
    • video
    2024 Oscar Show: Best Overall Awards

    2024 Oscar Show: Best Overall Awards

    Nicole, Lexy, Justin, and Stacy tackles the Oscars covering Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Director and Best Picture. We share our thoughts on the nominees and the films we saw in 2023. 
     
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    • 52 min
    Flashback: The Farewell and Staying vs. Leaving for America

    Flashback: The Farewell and Staying vs. Leaving for America

    Christopher and Nicole with special guest, Dan, discuss The Farewell and the issues that come along with generational conflicts that cross international boundaries as well. We disagree about the actual quality of the filmmaking particularly the bizarre score, Dan discusses the dissonance between what was considered funny by Asian vs non-Asian audiences, and the tension between the families who emigrate and the families who stay. It's worth hearing the real story from This American Life. For more on Lulu Wang, check out this article from The Atlantic.
    Nicole recommends early Ang Lee: The Wedding Banquet and Eat Drink Man Woman. Christopher recommends Star Trek: Discovery.
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    • 53 min
    Flashback: Get Out and White Spaces

    Flashback: Get Out and White Spaces

    Nicole and Stacy talk with Sari about Get Out, the fear of being black in white spaces, white fragility, and horror movie tropes. Mentioned in the episode is a an interview with Jordan Peele on the Nerdist podcast.
    Recommendations this week: This Is Us and Tucker and Dale vs. Evil.
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    • 50 min
    Wonka and Pure Imagination

    Wonka and Pure Imagination

    Garret and Nicole gush over Wonka and the movie's whimisical and joyful pure imagination. We love the cast, the costumes, the sets, and the world the movie created. We literally tear up talking about getting enveloped by this movie. We talk about the value of having genuine emotional experiences at the movies without having to tackle all the world's ills.
    Garret recommends reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory out loud to another person. Nicole recommends While You Were Sleeping.
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    • 43 min

Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5
21 Ratings

21 Ratings

livimeikle ,

Smart, fun, entertaining and unique

There are way too many "two dudes rambling on about movies they like" podcasts in the world. This is not that pdocast. The hosts are smart, witty, and well-informed and their conversations are thought-provoking, "high-level," and super-smart, but never snobby or long-winded. They make me think harder about the movies I've seen and the "work" those movies are doing in our society, and they make me want to see the movies they discuss that I haven's seen. Which is, I think, the highest compliment someone can give a movie pod. Highly recommended.

Cindymom5 ,

Waste of time!

Very immature ideas expressed. Too much giggling. Will not return.

Wonder Woman (Courtney) ,

Love it.

This podcast totally helps me choose which movies are worth my time and money. It feels like a chat over coffee with friends about life, culture, and cinema. Smart, funny, and entertaining.

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