Why the Flick?

Why the Flick?
  • 4.7 (14)
  • TV & FILM
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A movie podcast that asks the hard-hitting question, "Why the flick?" Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and follow @whytheflick on Instagram, TikTok, and Letterboxd.

  1. 99: The Mummy (1999) "Everyone is Super Hot"

    12/30/2025

    99: The Mummy (1999) "Everyone is Super Hot"

    Welcome to the end of season 5! For our 99th bonus episode, we left it up to our listeners to decide and the people have spoken—our winning flick is The Mummy (1999). Made in a carefree era of blockbuster cinema, this instant crowd pleaser blends action, adventure, horror, romance, and comedy into a wild ride that somehow just works. Stephen Sommers’ passion project pays loving homage to the 1932 classic while giving it a modern twist, complete with juicy CGI effects and one of the most attractive casts to ever grace our screens. On a special finale of Why the Flick?, we’re remembering what it’s like to have fun at the movies as we decipher the film’s lasting popularity, questionable Egyptology, and peak eyebrow game. Resources https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-mummy-1999 https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/the-mummy-1999-review-perfect-movie https://ew.com/movies/2019/08/13/the-mummy-making-of-brendan-fraser-stephen-sommers/ https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/director-stephen-sommers-recalls-origin-of-his-hit-mummy-films https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-mummy-director-stephen-sommers-brendan-fraser-interview-1235893764/ https://screenrant.com/mummy-movies-details-behind-scenes-trivia/ https://vfxblog.com/2017/06/05/the-mummy-1999-vfx/ https://nilescribes.org/2022/01/08/egyptological-review-of-1999-mummy/ https://egyptmanchester.wordpress.com/2017/07/22/representation-and-reality-in-the-mummy-1999/ https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/brendan-fraser-officially-confirms-the-mummy-4-with-rachel-weisz Brendan Fraser & Dwayne Johnson Actors on Actors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaIgDbFz-sY

    1h 56m
  2. 98: The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) "Proud to Be a Meece"

    12/23/2025

    98: The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) "Proud to Be a Meece"

    Christmas is only two sleeps away which means we needed a holiday flick that perfectly fit the jolly and joyous season. Of course, we’re talking about The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992). Charles Dickens may not have envisioned puppets when he wrote this literary classic, but it’s definitively the best adaptation and for good reason. Quite frankly there’s no better cast to bring this beloved story to life than Kermit, Gonzo, Miss Piggy, Rizzo, and the legendary Michael Caine in undoubtedly his most famous role. And that’s before we get to the musical of it all, even if only one of your cohosts really vibed with all the songs. This week, we’re leaving it to the Muppets to teach us some culture, decode 19th-century slang, and remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. Resources https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/dec/21/how-we-made-the-muppet-christmas-carol https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20221209-the-muppet-christmas-carol-festive-classics-dark-backdrop https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/making-of-muppet-christmas-carol/ https://www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2019/12/20/a-grand-yuletide-theory-the-muppet-christmas-carol-is-the-best-adaptation-of-a-christmas-carol/ Your Muppet Christmas Carol Character: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRubNitkRee/ Brett Goldstein Muppets Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3gzf9ej18I

    1h 49m
  3. 97: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) "Oui Oui Genius"

    12/09/2025

    97: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) "Oui Oui Genius"

    There’s an icy chill in the air and with it comes seasonal depression—so when we decided our next flick needed to capture those sad winter vibes we knew we had to go with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). Recognized by critics and film nerds as one of the best movies of the 21st century, this breakup story starring acting favorites Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet was revolutionary at the time for its existential meaning and emotional impact. But does it still hold up with a 2025 lens? We’re getting to the bottom of this question and more in our newest episode that unpacks the unique narrative structure, Michel Gondry’s questionable directing style, and how it fits within the sci-fi genre. Resources https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/03/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind-anniversary-jim-carrey-michel-gondry https://cintiar.medium.com/forget-me-not-eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind-and-the-trouble-with-wanting-to-forget-d5b65bfc3530 https://screenrant.com/eternal-sunshine-spotless-mind-ending-explained-joel-clementine/ https://www.focusfeatures.com/article/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind_20th-anniversary https://reactormag.com/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind-navigating-the-landscape-of-human-emotion/ https://theasc.com/articles/forget-me-not-eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3664683.stm

    2h 7m
  4. 96: Death Becomes Her (1992) "Immediate Substance Vibes"

    11/25/2025

    96: Death Becomes Her (1992) "Immediate Substance Vibes"

    It seems only right that since we started this season with The Substance it was time to circle back to her campy, slapstick sister Death Becomes Her (1992). Serving up more body comedy than body horror, this cult classic starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis is rife with cultural impact. It’s a flick that walked (or tumbled down a staircase) so others could run, inspiring generations of artists from Broadway to Sabrina Carpenter and most iconically the drag community. On a new episode of Why the Flick?, we’re going bottoms up into the Robert Zemeckis comedy to explore its relevance to anti-aging fads, groundbreaking special effects, and the living dead in Beverly Hills. Resources Sabrina Carpenter - Taste: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEG7b851Ric⁠ ⁠https://creepycatalog.com/death-becomes-her-1992-trivia/⁠ ⁠https://people.com/death-becomes-her-revolutionized-special-effects-8730702⁠ ⁠https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/756545/retro-review-before-the-substance-there-was-death-becomes-her/⁠ ⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/MovieDetails/comments/hpdm6c/in_death_becomes_her_1992_a_womans_figure_can/

    1h 27m
  5. 95: Return to Oz (1985) "Drag Queens on Wheels" ft. Release Date Rewind

    11/11/2025

    95: Return to Oz (1985) "Drag Queens on Wheels" ft. Release Date Rewind

    Spooky season might be over, but we’re keeping the vibes going…and with a certain cinematic conclusion on the horizon, we felt it was the perfect time to revisit another sequel in the same universe (albeit less critically acclaimed) with Return to Oz (1985). Released during Disney’s experimental phase, this beautiful weirdo is a far cry from its OG predecessor—think less technicolor musical, more 80s fantasy meets 19th-century fairy tales. It’s a faithful adaptation to L. Frank Baum’s books complete with fever dream horrors ranging from electroshock therapy to creatures with wheels for hands and feet. Despite its creep factor being misunderstood at the time, it’s since amassed a loyal cult following for its dark tone and surprisingly paved the way for films like The Nightmare Before Christmas and the Star Wars prequels. In celebration of this flick’s 40th anniversary, we’re teaming up with movie milestone expert Release Date Rewind on our newest episode that covers Oz parallels, impressive practical effects, and all the fabulously dressed villains. Listen to Release Date Rewind on Apple and Spotify. Follow @releasedaterewind on Instagram and YouTube. Resources https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250616-the-darkest-childrens-film-ever-made https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/movies/return-to-oz-six-things-that-made-the-1985-movie-a-cult-classic https://theasc.com/articles/a-return-to-oz

    2h 4m
  6. 94: Hocus Pocus (1993) "You Emily Binx’d It"

    10/28/2025

    94: Hocus Pocus (1993) "You Emily Binx’d It"

    Halloween is almost here so obviously our Season of the Witchtober had to end on theme. No witchy flick fits the holiday as perfectly as Hocus Pocus (1993) and no trio of diabolical witches is as iconic as the Sanderson sisters. After all, when you’ve got the combined powers of Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker you’re practically unstoppable (critics be double damned). This cult classic is the definition of spooky camp complete with a mid-act musical number and weird virgin plot lines that only the ‘90s could pull off. And after three decades, it’s brewed tons of behind-the-scenes stories and fun facts we couldn’t resist diving into. For the finale episode of our themed month, we’re talking cast crushes, All Hallows’ Eve nostalgia, and why Doug Jones continues to be the absolute best. Resources https://screenrant.com/hocus-pocus-behind-scenes-details-making-trivia/ https://ew.com/movies/hocus-pocus-cast-reunion-best-behind-scenes-stories/ https://www.hollywoodancestry.com/post/sarah-jessica-parker-descended-from-accused-witch https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hocus-pocus-actor-doug-jones-recalls-how-billy-butcherson-almost-took-costume-inspiration-from-michael-jackson-4083947/ https://www.slashfilm.com/1579992/hocus-pocus-billy-moths-real-doug-jones-star-trek/ https://variety.com/2025/film/news/bette-midler-hocus-pocus-3-script-disney-1236556265/

    1h 48m
  7. 93: The Blair Witch Project (1999) "Classic Witch Behavior"

    10/14/2025

    93: The Blair Witch Project (1999) "Classic Witch Behavior"

    Everyone knows witches and woods go hand in hand. So for the second installment of Season of the Witchtober, we’re taking it back to a film that sparked all our deeply-rooted fears of camping—The Blair Witch Project (1999). This culturally significant flick catapulted the found footage genre in a way that no one has been able to capture since. From the method filming experience to the viral marketing campaign, its release was perfectly timed with the early days of the internet, making everyone from boomers to babies think it might actually be real. In this episode of Why the Flick?, we’re speculating on all the theories and interpretations over the years as we deep dive the most famous witch never to be seen on camera (while also spiraling off into more than one unrelated movie tangent). Resources https://www.vice.com/en/article/blair-witch-project-oral-history-20th-anniversary/ https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-07-30/the-blair-witch-project-marketing-25th-anniversary-1999-project https://collider.com/the-blair-witch-project-monster-design/ https://variety.com/2024/film/news/blair-witch-project-cast-robbed-financial-success-1236033647/ https://www.slashfilm.com/606498/the-blair-witch-project-ending-explained-as-maddening-and-mysterious-as-it-was-20-years-ago/

    1h 58m
  8. 92: The Craft (1996) "Witchiest Phase of Life"

    09/30/2025

    92: The Craft (1996) "Witchiest Phase of Life"

    Here at Why the Flick? we love to get a little spooky. And with October right around the corner, we felt it was only right to celebrate the supernatural with our newest theme—Season of the Witchtober. All month long, we’ll be tapping into our witchy side and to kick things off we’re dabbling in The Craft (1996). This flick is the epitome of ‘90s witchcore aesthetic, complete with goth fashion, an ethereal soundtrack, and real-life inspired spells. Featuring an iconic female cast that includes Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Rachel True, and a pre-Scream Neve Campbell, it not only defined a vibe but also popularized the teen witch genre, making it the perfect first pick in our lineup. This episode, we’re embracing our weirdo selves while breaking down teen girl friendships, elemental symbolism, and the logistics of summoning 10,000 snakes. Resources https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-craft-oral-history_n_5734f7c9e4b060aa7819d362 https://screenrant.com/the-craft-movie-behind-scenes-details-trivia/ https://www.vice.com/en/article/revisiting-the-craft-the-film-that-realised-the-monstrous-power-of-teen-girls/ https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/rachel-true-the-craft-only-black-star-mvps-of-horror-191804543.html https://collider.com/neve-campbell-the-craft/ https://www.ghoulsmagazine.com/articles/calling-the-corners-and-representing-the-elements-in-the-craft-1996

    1h 42m
See All (100)

4.7
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

A movie podcast that asks the hard-hitting question, "Why the flick?" Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and follow @whytheflick on Instagram, TikTok, and Letterboxd.

Information

  • Creator
    Why the Flick?
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Why the Flick?
  • Show Website
    Why the Flick?