The Watch and Talk | Film & TV Podcast

This week, Derek Miranda (@DerekMiranda85) and Karen Peterson (@KarenMPeterson) go head to head as we talk CHALLENGERS. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: Tashi, a tennis player turned coach, has transformed her husband from a mediocre player into a world-famous grand slam champion. To jolt him out of his recent losing streak, she makes him play a challenger event -- close to the lowest level of tournament on the pro tour. Tensions soon run high when he finds himself standing across the net from the once-promising, now burnt-out Patrick, his former best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend. Directed by: Luca Guadagnino Written by: Justin Kuritzkes Starring: Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, Mike Faist *Clip from CHALLENGERS courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

It's been awhile since we've had a good vampire flick, so this week Derek Miranda (@DerekMiranda85) and Karen Peterson (@KarenMPeterson) are sitting down to talk ABIGAIL. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: A group of would-be criminals kidnaps the 12-year-old daughter of a powerful underworld figure. Holding her for ransom in an isolated mansion, their plan starts to unravel when they discover their young captive is actually a bloodthirsty vampire. Directed by: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett Written by: Stephen Shields, Guy Busick Starring: Alisha Weir, Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, Will Catlett, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud, Giancarlo Esposito *Clip from ABIGAIL courtesy of Universal Pictures. www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

This week, Karen Peterson (@KarenMPeterson) and Derek Miranda (@DerekMiranda85) go to (polite) battle over Alex Garland's latest, CIVIL WAR. We also share our Top 5 Kirsten Dunst movies, plus a few honorable mentions. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: From filmmaker Alex Garland comes a journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House. Directed and Written by: Alex Garland Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Sonoya Mizuno and Nick Offerman *Clip from CIVIL WAR courtesy of A24. www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

It's an action-packed, blood-soaked week as Derek Miranda (@DerekMiranda85) and Karen Peterson (@KarenMPeterson) sit down to talk MONKEY MAN. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: A young man ekes out a meager living in an underground fight club where, night after night, wearing a gorilla mask, he's beaten bloody by more popular fighters for cash. After years of suppressed rage, he discovers a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city's sinister elite. As his childhood trauma boils over, his mysteriously scarred hands unleash an explosive campaign of retribution to settle the score with the men who took everything from him. Directed by: Dev Patel Written by: Dev Patel, Angunawela, John Collee Starring: Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Sikandar Kher, Ashwini Kalsekar, Vipin Sharma, Sobhita Dhulipala, Adithi Kalkunte *Clip from MONKEY MAN courtesy of Universal Pictures. www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

This week, Karen Peterson (@KarenMPeterson) grudgingly agrees to sit down with Derek Miranda (@DerekMIranda85) and talk GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: Godzilla and the almighty Kong face a colossal threat hidden deep within the planet, challenging their very existence and the survival of the human race. Directed by: Adam Wingard Written by: Terry Rossio, Simon Barrett, Jeremy Slater Starring: Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

Derek Miranda (@DerekMiranda85) and Karen Peterson (@KarenMPeterson) ain't afraid of no ghosts as they spend this week talking all about GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE. We're also diving into what we've been watching lately. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: The Spengler family returns to the iconic New York City firehouse where the original Ghostbusters have taken ghost-busting to the next level. When the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must unite to protect their home and save the world from a second ice age. Directed by: Gil Kenan Written by: Gil Kenan, Jason Reitman Starring: Mckenna Grace, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Paul Rudd, Ernie Hudson, Dan Aykroyd, Kumail Nanjiani, Bill Murray, Annie Potts, Patton Oswalt *Clip from GHOSTBUSTERS courtesy of Sony Pictures. www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

After a bit of a break, Karen Peterson (@KarenMPeterson) and Derek Miranda (@DerekMiranda85) are back with some final thoughts on the 96th Oscars, what we've been watching lately, and to talk LOVE LIES BLEEDING. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: Lou is a reclusive gym manager who falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder who's heading to Las Vegas to pursue her dream. Their love soon leads to violence as they get pulled deep into the web of Lou's criminal family. Directed by: Rose Glass Written by: Rose Glass, Weronika Tofilska Starring: Kristen Stewart, Katy O'Brien, Anna Baryshnikov, Jena Malone, Dave Franco, Ed Harris *Clip from LOVE LIES BLEEDING courtesy of A24. www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

The best season of the year is wrapping up this week and Derek Miranda (@DerekMiranda85) and Karen Peterson (@KarenMPeterson) are sharing their official, final (ish) predictions for the 96th Academy Awards. We're sharing our predictions for all 23 categories, with little bits of history and a few "should wins" along the way. The 96th Academy Awards will air live on Sunday, March 10 at 4pm PT. *Promotional clip courtesy of Jimmy Kimmel Live! www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

The biggest film of the year (so far) is here and Karen (@KarenMPeterson) and Derek (@DerekMiranda85) have a lot to say as we sit down to talk DUNE: PART TWO. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the universe, he must prevent a terrible future only he can foresee. Directed by: Denis Villeneuve Written by: Denis Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts (Based on the novel Dune by Frank Herbert) Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgård, Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux, Christopher Walken, Josh Brolin, Charlotte Rampling *Clip from DUNE courtesy of Warner Bros. www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

Who doesn't love a raunchy, lady-led comedy? Find out this week when Derek (@DerekMiranda85) and Karen (@KarenMPeterson) sit down to talk DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: In search of a fresh start, two women embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, Fla. However, things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals along the way. Directed by: Ethan Coen Written by: Ethan Coen, Tricia Cooke Starring: Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein, Colman Domingo, Joey Slotnick, C.J. Wilson, Pedro Pascal, Matt Damon *Clip from DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS courtesy of Focus Features. www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

We're all about Bob Marley this week as Karen (@KarenMPeterson) and Derek (@DerekMiranda85) talk BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley overcomes adversity to become the most famous reggae musician in the world. Directed by: Reinaldo Marcus Green Written by: Terrence Winter, Frank E. Flowers, Zach Baylin, Reinaldo Marcus Green Starring: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, Anthony Welsh, James Norton www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

This week, Karen (@KarenMPeterson) and Derek (@DerekMiranda85) get into the Valentine's spirit as they sit down to talk LISA FRANKENSTEIN. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: A misunderstood teenager and a reanimated Victorian corpse embark on a murderous journey together to find love, happiness, and a few missing body parts. Directed by: Zelda Williams Written by: Diablo Cody Starring: Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Liza Soberano, Henry Eikenberry, Carla Gugino, Joe Chrest *Clip from LISA FRANKENSTEIN courtesy of Focus Features. www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

There just aren't enough spy movies these days, so Derek (@DerekMiranda85) and Karen (@KarenMPeterson) sit down this week to talk ARGYLLE, as well as a bit about the filmography of director Matthew Vaughn. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: Reclusive author Elly Conway writes best-selling espionage novels about a secret agent named Argylle who's on a mission to unravel a global spy syndicate. However, when the plots of her books start to mirror the covert actions of a real-life spy organization, the line between fiction and reality begin to blur. Directed by: Matthew Vaughn Written by: Jason Fuchs Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, Catherine O'Hara, Bryan Cranston, John Cena, Samuel L. Jackson, Dua Lipa, Adriana DeBose *Clip from ARGYLLE courtesy of Apple Original Films.* www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

It's finally here! Derek (@DerekMiranda85) and Karen (@KarenMPeterson) share their Top 10 Films of 2023. And we take a look back to see how our most anticipated films turned out. www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

There's so much to talk about this week as Karen Peterson (@karenmpeterson) & Derek Miranda (@DerekMiranda85) sit down to talk the 40th Sundance Film Festival, Oscar nominations, and the new film I.S.S. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: Tensions flare in the near future aboard the International Space Station as a conflict breaks out on Earth. Reeling, the U.S. and Russian astronauts receive orders from the ground: take control of the station by any means necessary. Directed by: Gabriela Cowperthwaite Written by: Nick Shafir Starring: Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, John Gallagher Jr., Pilou Asbaek, Masha Mashkova, Costa Ronin www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

It's time to get up and sing for this week's episode. Karen Peterson (@KarenMPeterson) and Derek Miranda (@DerekMiranda85) sit down to talk MEAN GIRLS (2024), plus share their Top 5 Broadway Musical Adaptations. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: New student Cady Heron gets welcomed into the top of the social food chain by an elite group of popular girls called the Plastics, ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George. However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina's ex-boyfriend, she soon finds herself caught in their crosshairs. Directed by: Samantha Jayne, Arturo Perez Jr. Written by: Tina Fey Starring: Angourie Rice, Renée Rapp, Auliʻi Cravalho, Jaquel Spivey, Avantika, Bebe Wood, Christopher Briney, Jenna Fischer, Busy Phillips, Tina Fey, Tim Meadows www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

This week Karen Peterson (@KarenMPeterson) and Derek Miranda (@DerekMiranda85) are looking to the year ahead at our Most Anticipated Films of 2024. www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

Derek Miranda (@DerekMiranda85) and Karen Peterson (@KarenMPeterson) ring in 2024 with a look back at some films and TV from the end of 2023. This week's mostly non-spoiler chat includes: @TheWatchAndTalk (Twitter/Instagram) Facebook.com/TheWatchAndTalk www.TheWatchAndTalk.com TheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

For our last episode of 2023, Karen Peterson (@karenmpeterson) & Derek Miranda (@DerekMiranda85) sit down to talk MAESTRO, plus our top five Bradley Cooper movies. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: Maestro is the towering and fearless love story chronicling the lifelong relationship between cultural icon Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein. A love letter to life and art, Maestro, at its core, is an emotionally epic portrayal of family and love. Directed by: Bradley Cooper Written by: Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer Starring: Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, Sarah Silverman www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk

It's a monstrous new episode as Karen (@KarenMPeterson) and Derek (@DerekMiranda85) sit down to talk GODZILLA MINUS ONE. As always, featured reviews are done in two parts, a NON-SPOILER review with letter grade and brief discussion, followed by a more in depth SPOILER review. PLOT SUMMARY: Japan is already devastated by the war when a new crisis emerges in the form of a giant monster. Directed and Written by: Takashi Yamazaki Starring: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Sakura Ando, Kuranosuke Sasaki Studio: Toho Studios www.TheWatchAndTalk.comTheWatchAndTalk@gmail.com Support the show! www.Patreon.com/TheWatchAndTalk