Her Screen Thoughts - Movie & TV Reviews

Wilder and Merser are late to join the admirers of the extraordinary film Hamnet, but only because Merser wasn’t sure she wanted to take the emotional journey.“I can’t believe I almost missed this incredibly special film. It may be one of the best movies I’ve ever seen, for so many reasons.”In this episode of Screen Thoughts, Wilder and Merser dive deeply into a film layered with grief, love, marriage, art, motherhood, memory, and the mysterious way great loss becomes great creation. When a film is this rich, there are endless layers to examine, and not one emotional stone goes unturned in this remarkable conversation.You will be glad you experienced Hamnet through the eyes of two women who do not let a single moment pass unappreciated.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is one of the quietest films I’ve seen in years, and maybe one of the most powerful because of it. Starring Sally Field and Lewis Pullman, the film unfolds slowly, patiently, almost tenderly, as it explores grief, loneliness, friendship, aging, and the strange ways human beings find each other again after heartbreak. And at the center of it all is an octopus named Marcellus, who may understand more about humanity than the humans themselves. - Christine Merser, Critic

In this episode I take a deep dive into The Reluctant Fundamentalist, a film that should have been front-row center but never got its moment. I talk about Riz Ahmed’s extraordinary performance, the quiet brilliance of Mira Nair’s direction, the music that pulls you into another cultural syntax, and the way the film exposes America’s post-9/11 blind spots without shouting. It is a story about identity, belonging, and the small humiliations that shape a life. And maybe more than anything, it’s a reminder that no one becomes a fundamentalist in a vacuum — and we should stop pretending otherwise. - Hollister Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merser and Wilder could not wait to unpack Season Three of The Diplomat, which Merser calls “the best of the three, by a diplomatic mile.” After a quick walk through Seasons One and Two, they dive into the complex and ingenious storytelling that defines this season.You cannot talk about The Diplomat without invoking The West Wing and Homeland, and Debora Cahn, who wrote for both, shows how to fuse the best of those worlds while making something singular in The Diplomat. The plot is a high-stakes global crisis, personal entanglements that complicate every choice, and a quieter script that lets tension build in the spaces between lines.In a world on edge, this story lands close to home and makes for must-watch TV. Spoilers ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"May December," featuring a star-studded cast including Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman, is much more than the torrid story of a seventh-grade teacher who ensnared her student, went to prison for it, and married him upon her release. It transcends that narrative, offering a profound exploration of complex themes. Don't miss the discussion on the film's production, including the techniques employed by Todd Haynes. His interpretations consistently delve deeper than the obvious.JI5Ugqcy89Ve5vHa6ABf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christine Merser AKA Hollister has nothing but praise for Jesse Eisenberg from the start of this week's episode, as she dives into his latest film, A Real Pain, which he wrote, directed, and starred in. Starring alongside Eisenberg is Kieran Culkin, as the two portray mismatched Jewish-American cousins traveling to Poland to honor their late grandmother—taking us on a heartfelt, funny, and emotional journey.In a surprising first, Christine places another writer on the same pedestal as Aaron Sorkin. While we won’t give too much away about the title, we absolutely love it—and we think you will too after watching the film. While we encourage you to see it in theaters if it's still playing in your area, A Real Pain is now streaming on Hulu, and we’d love to hear your thoughts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christine Merser aka Hollister has a solo episode for us after watching and being left speechless by Netflix's new documentary, Martha, about Martha Stewart. Christine marvels about Martha being our first real influencer and first female self-made billionaire, her sense of excellence and what that sometimes means for the people around her, and concludes with a heartfelt apology. And, at the end Who should watch this? Any woman in business. Or maybe just any woman. What we took away? Learn something new every day. We start tomorrow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christine’s review of Adolescence, Netflix’s #1 series about an eleven-year-old boy who kills his classmate, will have you turning off her video to start watching it—if you haven’t already. Starring Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper, the show addresses, in a new and painfully palatable way, the demise of our tweens and teens and the perils they face growing up in a society that has unwittingly nurtured these outcomes. And for film buffs, the way this series was shot and rolled out is game-changing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christine Merser (AKA Hollister) goes this one alone Fresh Kills, according to her review, should have been front and center at the Academy Awards. Was it overlooked because it's the first mafia genre film told from a woman's perspective? How could it have been overlooked? According to Hollister, it provides a perfect script, amazing acting, and a plotline that explores not only insight into mafia life but also inner family relationships: a strong father versus a daughter who wants out, a mother who doesn't see her daughter as something other than what she was, even though she knows it is not enough. And, perhaps most importantly, a sister-sister relationship complicated by anger and love, betrayal and love, and, lastly, hatred. Don't miss this review, but more importantly, don't miss this film. Streaming on Prime and Peacock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

High schooler Addie Tedrow, a lover of all things Hunger Games, joins Christine Merser to discuss the latest in the series, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, as well as the other stories in the iconic Hunger Games franchise. Don't miss their interesting, intergenerational discussion of this film. Christine's fear of snakes coils around the difficulty of some of the scenes. P.S. we do include some spoilers in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Holdovers," bringing back 70s and 80s boarding school films, heads toward awards season with Paul Giamatti finding his way to front-page news. Why hasn't he had more starring roles when he's such a strong actor? We have our theories. And "NYAD", where Annette Bening and Jodie Foster save the day. NYAD's swim is an amazing feat, no question about that. How they made it into a movie is up for discussion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who knew that the movie The Burial on Amazon Prime was as fabulously brilliant and fun and compelling as it is? Don’t watch the trailer. Just listen to this podcast and go watch. Better yet? They agree! Hollister and Wilder are both huge fans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week it's all about Lessons in Chemistry on AppleTV+. It should not come as a surprise to regular listeners of Screen Thoughts that Hollister and Wilder hold differing opinions on the show, on pretty much every front. And, just in time for Halloween, Hollister shares some insider information on the 25th anniversary of "Practical Magic," starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollister welcomes the writers back to work and comments on the opening line of the new contract, which is something out of Star Wars to be sure. First up is 'The Super Models,' the documentary (Hollister takes offense that it's even in that category) surrounding the four super models of the eighties; Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista and how they found their way to superstardom. But the highlight is the discovery of John Carney's Flora and Son, the story of a single mother, trying desperately to connect with her son. Hollister says it should be headed for awards season, although she doesn't think it's getting enough leverage to be seen enough to find its way there.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merser and Wilder talk The Morning Show, reviewing this new season and commenting on the past two seasons, all the while discussing women's increasing power in the making of film & television and what an exciting time it is for our ability to showcase women in film and history. Such a great show this week. Part of the strike is still on, but hope springs eternal that the role of women will continue to grow!**This podcast was recorded before the writer's strike had ended. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christine and Wilder speed through their review of the three hour Oppenheimer, singing its praises, its importance and so many behind the scenes extras. Is it about Nolan, the director? The acting acumen of everyone, from Cillian Murphy to Robert Downey? The cinematography tricks? So many things to consider. One of Christine’s recommendations is to watch Fat Man and Little Boy, the 1989 film about the Manhattan Project before you see this. Or read American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the more than 600 page book it’s based on. Oppenheimer makes us want to go to the movies again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christine (AKA Hollister) and Wilder dissect Apple’s the Crowded Room, and address Christine’s POV around the futility of the writer’s strike, while Wilder defends it. And, Somebody Somewhere, season two on HBO? Christine speaks to the enormity and importance and talent of Bridget Everett’s hit. Golda, Helen Mirren’s portrayal of Golda Meir, comes out in August and Screen Thoughts has tickets for the preview and video of an interview with Mirren, which will be offered to Screen Thoughts' viewers. And, the Morning Show comes out in early September … and, and, and, so many things discussed, so little time.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The names of many of the heroes of the Civil Rights movement are well known to us today: MLK, Malcolm X, Medgar Evers—the list goes on. But there were unsung heroes of the movement as well. Among these were white men of the cloth in rural towns and small cities of the American South, whose congregations might be wearing white cloaks on Saturday night before attending services the next morning, believing that they could both be good Christians as well as racist segregationists. Some of these pastors took a stand against the views of their own parishioners, welcoming Black people to join them in the pews and worship with them on Sunday mornings. Taking this position wasn’t always easy. Sometimes it was dangerous; sometimes, it cost these men their jobs.As a child, Carolyn Crowder, filmmaker and self-described “bred racist,” struggled to reconcile what she learned from her pastors and her parents’ commitment to the belief that whites were superior to their Black neighbors. Eventually, she moved north to seek communities with views more in line with her own. Years later, using money left to her by her father, she made At the River, a feature-length documentary featuring interviews with dozens of pastors who stood up for their belief that all of God’s children should be welcomed as equals, exploring what they felt at the time, what this belief cost them, and how the struggled to defend it.While the film is not currently available to the public, Carolyn joined Hollister to speak about the film and some of the stories behind its production. We will update our event section with the details of any future screenings, so that you can have the opportunity to see this important film featuring some of the unsung heroes of the fight for racial equality.And consider following the Damariscotta, Maine’s Lincoln Theater for events and showings of some fabulous films. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a very special episode of Screen Thoughts, Christine Merser, Bryan Cohen and Shanette Barth Cohen give a review of Netflix's The Diplomat, kicking the episode off with praise for the show's creator Debora Cahn. They are chock full of admiration and talk about the comparisons to so many past TV shows; The West Wing, Grey’s Anatomy, Homeland, all of whom Debora wrote for. Some say it’s the best series on television. Don’t miss this review. One of the best from Screen Thoughts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a week it was chatting about Mario’s amazing box office receipts, Mafia Mama (look for no lovers on this podcast), and Renfield. We finish up with Jennifer Garner, and her talent often unseen by the choices she has made in the films she has chosen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Miller is back, guest co-hosting with Hollister and this podcast is chock full of film. They don’t agree on Air at all, with comparison’s by Hollister to Jerry Maguire versus Tim’s comparison to Moneyball. Some interesting takes on the new surge of Hollywood remakes. What do Spielberg and Tim have in common? A lot actually, and recommendations - quick ones for what is coming in April and what Tim and Hollister saw in March. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lena Dunham’s latest creation is out and ready to be seen by mothers and daughters all across the land. Brave girl, that Lena Dunham. No one tackles the Medieval Ages in film. Recipe for failure is the reason why, but she goes forth, fearless in her quest to bring her favorite childhood book to life. Don’t miss this review. And according to Hollister, don’t miss the film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Hollister and Wilder as they explore their favorite Halloween films. Spoiler alert: not all are about Halloween. They are, however, classics and it’s a great list of what to watch to get in that dark, scary place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House of the Dragon. Game of Thrones. Don’t get Wilder started on the fantasy appeal for both. But she even won Hollister over with the need to at least give House of the Dragon a try. Plot. Cinematography. Acting. Special Effects. And, and, and. The plot line is amazing and one of the things Wilder points out is that unlike Game of Thrones, this might, just might, put women on the map as the great leaders they can be. Hollister and Wilder debate the redeeming value of having rape-laden shows on the screen and whether they have a ‘right’ to be there. Interesting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bad Sisters. “If those are bad sisters, I want to be one!,” said Hollister. Mixing comedy with drama (tragedy?) is a good combination according to Hollister and with some exceptions in approach, Wilder agrees. Don’t miss their review of this new series by Sharon Horgan of Catastrophe fame and fortune. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amazon Prime’s A League of Their Own Series: Join Wilder and Hollister as they celebrate and evaluate the new Amazon Prime series, A League of Their Own. Hollister takes us back to 1992’s A League of Their Own with Penny Marshall, and some of the highlights. Don’t miss out on this series, or their review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Among Peacock's stream of new programming we found 'The Resort.' Hollister & Wilder are both fans of this show, where you're not quite sure where it's going as time goes on. Wilder found the relationship between the two main characters very relatable and loved Nick Offerman's contribution to the show. Hollister poses the question: do you ever wonder what people would think if they found your cell phone? For fans of Palm Springs, we think you'll like this. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recommended by so many and for such good reason. "One of the best series ever,” sang Hollister. Wilder is right there with her. They agreed on everything including the exceptional writing, acting and general approach to showing the truth behind how very hard it is to work in a restaurant. Hulu's The Bear touches on everything from family dynamics to suicide to money to the idea of striving for excellence. Hollister says you can’t binge, Wilder said, “watch me!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Loot is a satire about the billionaire sector, but with some twists and turns that make it actually helpful, according to Hollister. Apple TV+ is nailing content right now, according to Wilder, and Loot is a part of it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cha Cha Real Smooth, with Dakota Johnson, who according to Hollister has one speed - ‘coy,’ is described by Wilder as ’sweet’ and Hollister concurs. It’s worth the watch for sure. Vulnerable men? We are all in. Written, directed and starring Cooper Raiff, who is one of the darlings of Hollywood right now, Cha Cha Real Smooth is not to be missed. Listen and find out where the name came from, although Hollister thinks it’s a mistake! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean Penn makes an all-in-the-family film with both his daughter, Dylan, and son, Hopper - one that he first read and shared with Dylan, now thirty, fifteen years ago. His performance is impeccable according to both Hollister and Wilder, but Dylan? Not so sure. But, for Hollister, the story might matter a lot to those who struggled with forgiveness inside families and let’s face it, there is plenty of that out there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Is it an age thing?" queries Hollister a number of times to Wilder during the review. Either way, so many points of view around so many things that came up for both Hollister and Wilder while they watched the film. And, one of our interns weighs in. We also hear from an active listener and no one agrees? Maybe that’s the sign of a great film. Either way, the much talked about Everything Everywhere All at Once is a heated conversation around what it means and why it matters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Movie Review: Top Gun Maverick - Hollister and Wilder feel the need for speed and want to alert you all that there are spoilers in our review this week. Hollister is not a Cruise fan; Wilder is. Join us for this sequel thirty-six years in the making. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollister can’t stop crying after watching The Valet, and had no idea that the Euginio Derbez, who hurt her heart in The Valet, also played the music teacher in the acclaimed Coda last year. He’s phenomenal. What a film, and the best part about it is that it’s not a RomCom as its touted, but rather a lesson in class differential and how to treat others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Mormon Church's secrets exposed. A murder in the eighties. Mormon Fundamentalists meets the power of the Mormon Church dedicated to making sure the dirty underpinnings of its challenging history stays buried. Hollister recommends watching Netflix's documentary, Murder Among the Mormons before watching Under the Banner of Heaven. Different murder. Same issue. For a passive religious philosophy, a lot of murdering going on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollister and Wilder come to blows over The Offer but agree on the fine work done by all in The Outfit. Think Mafia, but know that the Godfather wasn't allowed to use that word, or agreed not to, so the Mafia would 'allow' them to do the film. So much interesting information and back stories around both these projects. Don't miss this week's reviews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollister and Wilder talk about two shows this week; Gaslit with Julia Roberts and The First Lady with Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer and Gillian Anderson. Much to discuss as our country's political history gets unveiled from the female perspective, which somehow got lost in a sea of men. Don’t miss this episode, although one of the two series both Hollister and Wilder think could have been better done. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollister and Wilder come to blows about the worth of Netflix's Anatomy of a Scandal, as well as the way it was made. Don't miss it, and according to Hollister, watch it at your earliest convenience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollister and Wilder finally agree, and not only do they agree, they are singing the praises of what could be one of the finest series ever produced for the screen. Roots not withstanding. Don't miss this review, and if it doesn't make you immediately turn on the series, well, there is no hope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out Screen Thought’s review of ABC’s Mockumentary, Abbott Elementary! Hollister and Wilder rave about Abbott Elementary because sometimes watching television should be sheer fun and laughter, and they announce April’s Film Club choice. Wilder’s pick this month. Bridgerton. Hollister’s eyes roll but she’s in. Premise: "A group of dedicated, passionate teachers—and a tone-deaf principal—are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where they are determined to help their students succeed in life." "Though these incredible public servants are outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do and fight the odds stacked up against them—like the school district's less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children—to give the students the best school life they can offer." (Source Wikipedia) “Abbott Elementary” stars Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues, Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie, Janelle James as Ava Coleman, Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill, Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti and Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Coda unique or just another remake of girl lives in dysfunctional family, meets fabulous boy and ends up with a groundbreaking try out to enter a new world where her immense talent can emerge? And, both Hollister and Wilder are overwhelmed with the brilliance of HBO’s new series, Winning Time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollister has a personal story around Elizabeth Holmes and The Dropout and she is not inclined toward sympathy of any kind, and when it comes to Severance, both Hollister and Wilder had a lot to say. As everyone struggles with the new world of work environment and commitment to living life before job, it’s a thought provoking notion to separate your work life from your personal life through brain changes. A lot of great insights into all of it this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Movie Review: The Eyes of Tammy Faye by Christine Merser Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week is chock full of bad peeps; #TinderSwindler; do not get Hollister started. Why is this man not in jail? Wilder goes wild for Nightmare Alley including the dark photography and dark deals. And, Hollister and Wilder disagree (what else is new?)over Netflix's #InventingAnna, which seems to be right in line with other media reviews; people are either loving it or loathing it. Either way, don’t miss the takeaways from all these films and series this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Academy Awards. Killing Eve. And a review of Pam & Tommy, Hulu’s new series around the sex tapes from Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee, stolen and put out into the universe without their permission or compensation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollister and Wilder walk through Kristen Bell and her Woman in the House ... So much to discuss, including Wilder's idea around how they could have done the title. Don't miss it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollister goes nostalgic having lived through the sixties/seventies abortion break throughs. Either way, Sundance's Call Jane is the story of "Jane" who you can call if you need an abortion; an illegal, scary, abortion. It's a network of women who make sure that women who want to end their pregnancies can do so in a safe environment. It's not out yet, but both Hollister and Wilder believe it will get distribution, and predict that because it's done by the women that brought you Carol, it will be a darling of the awards circuit as well. And, then of course, Sigourney Weaver and Elizabeth Banks don't hurt its chances either. In the episode, Hollister refers to an interview she did several years ago with Dr. Kerenyi, the former head of the OB/GYN department at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and one of the first doctors to perform abortions in New York City clinics in 1970. You can listen to the episode here, https://soundcloud.com/user-504815256-843967428/dr-thomas-kerenyi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollister doesn't think it's worthy of her attention although she touts episode 5 and the forty minute story that shows how sexual abuse from celebrities happens. Wilder doesn't think that the documentary (it's supposed to be a docu-series but Hollister would say it's more so reality tv) goes far enough into the scandal uncovering. Either way, they both agree that the athleticism these young people exhibit is phenomenal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julian Fellowes has left England behind and brought this well-researched, upstairs downstairs drama to HBO (they are nailing new content this month!) in the form of the Gilded Age. Starring the likes of Cynthia Nixon (you might not recognize her) and Christine Baranski, as the old money and some fresh talent as the new, the Gilded Age transports us to New York. Getting mixed reviews by others, Hollister and Wilder walk us through the background and the overall potential of what Hollister is sure will be another success for Fellowes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our new Screen Thoughts Shorts where we podcast a short review around something we think is timely or relevant shouldn’t be missed. First stop? Somebody Somewhere. Do not miss all the feelings and laughter and sadness and hope that comedian Bridget Everett brings to Somebody Somewhere, the brainchild of HBO. While we're just a few episodes in to season 1, something tells us this show is going to grace our screens for quite a long time! Well done! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices