Criticism Is Dead

We’re sorry for the wait! The fate of Criticism Is Dead has been decided. We hope you will listen to this update. Thank you. <3 ... Where to find us: Pelin: Twitter / Letterboxd / Instagram Jenny: Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter / Letterboxd If you need to get in touch, still: criticismisdead@gmail.com Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. In episode 10 “With Open Eyes,” the board decides. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Barry and Yellowjackets, two series about human darkness. 05:17 Barry season 4, streaming on HBO Max, is reaching new, uncanny, glorious heights. 29:51 Yellowjackets season 2, streaming on Showtime, doesn’t quite live up to all its promises, instead faltering and stalling to an unfortunate degree. 45:02 Plus, mini grab bag time! A collection of TV and films we’ve been watching recently, including You Hurt My Feelings, Mrs. Davis, Somebody Somewhere, The Eight Mountains, and more. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. In episode 9 “Church and State,” a funeral becomes a battleground. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. In episode 8 “America Decides,” THIS IS WHAT AMERICA LOOKS LIKE etc. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss The Diplomat and How to Blow Up a Pipeline, a series and a film about political maneuvering — whether from the backroom or from on the ground. 02:59 Netflix’s The Diplomat, a soapy and snappy political and marital thriller, is tailor-made for fans of The West Wing and Keri Russell. 22:54 How to Blow Up a Pipeline, available in theaters/VOD, could use a touch more texture in its too-neat package, but is nevertheless affecting — almost radical, even. 40:37 Plus, shout out to the striking writers! ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. In episode 7 "Tailgate Party," a long-stewing showdown finally brings the naked truth to light. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Episode Notes This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. In episode 6 “Living Plus,” the kids are in LA for Investor Day. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Show Notes This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. This week we're joined by Variety's TV critic, Alison Herman. In episode five, "Kill List", the Waystar-Royco squadron meet their GoJo counterparts in Norway to try and finish the deal, but negotiations get inevitably trickier than they anticipated. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Beef and Showing Up, a series and a film about characters who orbit around each other as frenemies — or straight-up enemies. 02:14 Beef, streaming on Netflix, is a darkly funny, often surprising, genuinely invigorating thrill of a TV show. 28:55 Showing Up, playing in theaters, is a deceptively unassuming portrait of an artist that — much like its protagonist — really grows on you. 47:23 Plus, the world reacts to rumors of Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. In episode 4 “Honeymoon States,” the Coronation Demolition Derby kicks off, garbed in black. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Perry Mason and The Big Door Prize, two shows about people reluctantly grappling with their life potential. 03:22 Perry Mason, streaming on HBO Max, returns for a second season that is vibe-ier and better crafted than the first. 18:56 The Big Door Prize, streaming on Apple TV+, is the right blend of lighthearted quirk, existential questions, and plain intrigue. 34:04 Plus, a little chat about the jaw-dropping mess (complimentary) that is Love Is Blind season 4. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. In episode 3 “Connor’s Wedding,” the unthinkable — and the inevitable — happens. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Return to Seoul and Rye Lane, two films with a strong sense of place. 02:22 At times discomfiting, at times revelatory, the film Return to Seoul — playing in select theaters — is a distinctive spin on the journey of an adoptee. 26:19 The pleasant rom-com Rye Lane, streaming on Hulu, does a better job highlighting the charm of a city than any chemistry between its leads. 39:29 Plus, culture notes about how Gwyneth Paltrow litigated her way into stans’ hearts. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. In episode 2 “Rehearsal,” business and personal issues became entangled (again). ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Top Chef and Next in Fashion, two reality competition shows that demonstrate the importance of skill. 04:06 We have a soft spot for Top Chef because we love to witness CRAFT, and season 20 — streaming on Hulu, Peacock, etc. — is no exception. 23:26 Netflix revived its promising fashion design competition reality show Next in Fashion only to completely butcher season 2. 37:23 Plus, new Coppola just dropped. ALSO, don't forget to check out our bonus SUCCESSION SENDOFF episode 1 in the feed! ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our new weekly special following along Succession’s fourth and final season! Featuring a review of what happened in episode 1, our thoughts, and three new recurring segments: Daddy’s Best Boy, The Disgusting Boy, and Death Watch. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We have a very special one for you this week. In honor of our 100th episode — yes, that’s right, this is the big 1-0-0! — we’re doing our own highly personal version of the AFI greatest films list. Presenting: our top seven films, respectively. (Obligatory disclaimers: We haven’t watched everything, these are not really in any particular order, these are just our opinions, etc.) 05:39 After Life (Hirokazu Kore-eda, 1998) 07:54 Spirited Away (Hayao Miyazaki, 2001) 10:36 Close-Up (Abbas Kiarostami, 1990) 13:09 Little Miss Sunshine (dir. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, writ. Michael Arndt, 2006) 15:12 Inside Llewyn Davis (Joel and Ethan Coen, 2013) 17:33 Call Me By Your Name (dir. Luca Guadagnino, writ. James Ivory, 2017) 20:27 The Matrix (Lana and Lilly Wachowski, 1999) 23:49 Wolf Children (dir. Mamoru Hosoda, writ. Satoko Okudera and Mamoru Hosoda, 2012) 26:20 Michael Clayton (Tony Gilroy, 2007) 28:50 Parasite (dir. Bong Joon-ho, writ. Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin-won, 2019) 33:01 Persona (Ingmar Bergman, 1966) 35:35 Nomadland (Chloé Zhao, 2020) 39:53 Fish Tank (Andrea Arnold, 2009) 42:08 Princess Mononoke (Hayao Miyazaki, 1997) ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss Top Gun: Maverick and The Reluctant Traveler, a film and a series about older men discovering that they have plenty left to live for. 02:41 Don’t overthink Top Gun: Maverick — the film, streaming on Paramount+ and MGM+, is the epitome of “turn your brain off and rock on.” 21:59 The Reluctant Traveler, streaming on Apple TV+, is a sometimes relatable, sometimes frustrating, always gorgeous travel show. 36:42 Plus, 2023 Oscar predictions: what we want to win versus what we think will win. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

We discuss The Last of Us and Hello Tomorrow!, two vastly different visions of the past, present, and future. 03:00 The Last of Us, streaming on HBO Max, is faithful yet fresh enough to appeal to both pre-existing fans and new viewers. 27:00 Hello Tomorrow!, streaming on Apple TV+, is a gorgeous but underbaked series about a grifter salesman in a retrofuturistic world. 40:58 Plus, culture notes about the upcoming fourth and final season of Succession (and Jeremy Strong being babygirl). ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to criticismisdead@gmail.com. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu