FOLLOWING FILMS

Director Gilles Paquet-Brenner’s adaptation of “Gone Girl” author Gillian Flynn’s novel “Dark Places” takes its titular theme to the hilt, in a film that is as its title suggests unrelentingly dreary. Not that it has much of a choice given the subject matter. A gothic Americana mystery, “Dark Places” spans two timelines as it unravels the truth behind one horrific crime. In the present, Libby Day (Charlize Theron) is a traumatized adult shuffling aimlessly through life. Nearly 30 years since her mother and sisters were murdered and her brother was convicted as their killer, the leader of a sort of underground crime “fan club" approaches her. At first they make a deal to pick her brain about what happened and then they drop a bombshell. They believe her brother is innocent and they want her help to prove it. From here the movie registers as a whodunit, unwinding all of the lurid details that led up to the awful conclusion with the promise of uncovering the real perpetrator....

When it comes to describing director John Crowley’s adaptation of “Brooklyn” one word rapidly comes to mind: poignant. There are scores of movies that have told stories about coming-of-age in fish-out-of-water circumstances with a love triangle thrown in for good measure. What sets “Brooklyn” apart from them is how quickly it manages to draw you in with its bursts of levity and shots of sorrow. Anchoring the whiplash of emotions is actress Saoirse Ronan, who demonstrates an elegant breadth as the film’s leading lady. Based on Colm Toibin’s novel of the same name, “Brooklyn” follows Eilis Lacey (Ronan), a young Irishwoman whose sister has arranged for her to immigrate to America. Leaving her family, friends and everything else she’s ever known behind in her small town to begin a solitary chapter in a strange place an ocean away. It's worth noting that throughout the course of the movie, she never considers bringing her family to live with her. For Eilis, it's eithe...

Cheating is not romantic. If you agree with that premise, “The Choice” will more than likely leave you colder than a snowman in Antarctica. Since it is at the crux of Nicholas Sparks’ latest drama about people falling in love with each other and overcoming incredible odds to be together, there is little ground to invest in with his latest star-crossed pairing. Based on the novel of the same name, comes the tale of how Gabby (Teresa Palmer), a studious and slightly uptight aspiring doctor falls for her laid back next-door-neighbor Travis (Benjamin Walker), a veterinarian with country sass to spare. Given that a lot of movie romances begin with its protagonists loathing one another in seething contempt before falling devotedly in love, “The Choice” doesn’t offer its audience a lot of surprises in the dynamic of how its lovers connect. The thing is, it’s clear from the onset all of their shared bluster is thinly veiled flirtation and nothing more. The problem “The Choice” fa...

On a technical level, Denis Villeneuve’s cagey thriller is a mesmeric spectacle of near perfection. Taut with a laser precision and deafening focus, “Sicario” revolves around the work of a government task force, policing the war on drugs at the U.S./Mexico border and their reluctant new recruit Kate Macer (Emily Blunt). Suspicious from the start, Kate's fears grow more and more intense as she’s plunged into legally questionable waters that challenge her idealism to its very core. Left to question the black, white and grey area where law enforcement collides with the criminal element, she is forced to wrestle with the age old conundrum of whether the “end justifies the means”. Kate’s odyssey into the tangled web of police politics proves a harrowing ride that exacts more questions than it does answers. Enticing its audience to inquiry about what they witness as much as its protagonist does. As intense and immersive as “Sicario” can be, it finds trouble with a narrative that reve...

In this episode, Dave invites guest, Chris Maynard from  Following Films , to talk about one of the film highlights of the year, in It Follows.  Britt joins us to give a mild recommendation to watch It Follows, but maybe without drinking or looking at your phone!  Dave talks about sexual fluidity and self concept clarity.  Chris and Dave talk about It Follows on deeper levels, discussing sexual identity in western culture and how it affects us all. Sexual Fluidity Not Always A Straight Path Self-Concept Clarity Listen! Fangirl Fixation: 0:06:53 Sexual Identity: 0:21:10 It Follows with Chris: 0:33:24 Rate and Review on iTunes!

In this episode, Dave watches a fabulous romantic comedy/tragedy starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, 500 Days of Summer.  He also analyzes whether or not it is healthy and/or natural to think highly of ourselves and those close to us.  He also looks at the effects on mental health and physical longevity.  Fangirl Fixation continues with discussion about JGL and a Top 5 List of the best romantic comedies ever! Listen!

In this episode, Dave invites guest, Annaleis from the  Dark Angels and Pretty Freaks  podcast, to talk about one of her favorites, Amelie.  Britt shows up to flaunt her knowledge of the French language and admit that she was a weird kid who identified with Amelie.  Dave educates you on the good and bad sides of isolation in the psychology section.  Finally, Dave and Annaleis discuss isolation, porn stores, Princess Diana, and more! Social Isolation and Older Adults Social Support and Gender Isolation, the Internet, and Depression Rejection Sensitivity Listen! Fangirl Fixation: 0:05:23 Isolation: 0:23:15 Amelie with Annaleis: 0:30:54 Rate and Review on iTunes!

When “Damsels in Distress” begins, it is hard to ignore its “Mean Girls” leanings. After all they have quite a bit in common. A new girl arrives at school (Analeigh Tipton) where she is quickly taken under the wing of a female clique (Greta Gerwig, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore), which is headed by an intimidating blonde leader, Gerwig’s Violet. Slightly naïve and clearly out of place, Lily (Tipton) needs help navigating the world of a liberal arts college inhabited by the dimmest students imaginable. The only academic field apparently necessary to be accepted is writing your name on the application. However, throughout the course of the movie there are characters that emerge who seem incapable of even accomplishing that small feat. Not stupid and strikingly so, Violet is a rambling expression of big ideas, values and philosophies. Effusive and passionate, she quickly becomes the heart of the story as her idealism is shaken by betrayal. It’s easy to empathize with Vio...

In this episode, Dave is joined by Non and Jess from the Joy Sandwich Podcast.  We talk about Oscar winner, The Departed.  To focus the discussion Dave discusses the ideas of honesty and dishonesty, which is not as black and white as you might think.   Britt joins us for Fangirl Fixation to talk about a movie that actually surprises her for once! Ethical Liars Honesty on Facebook Adult lies and Child Behavior Listen! Fangirl Fixation: 0:03:30 Honesty: 0:16:47 The Departed with Joy Sandwich: 0:28:34 Rate and Review on iTunes!

In this episode, Dave has a new guest, Karly from  That Pop This Life .  We talk about the much maligned M. Night Shymalan film, The Village.  To focus the discussion we delve into the idea of regret and how it affects our lives.  Dave details the psychology of regret, how it affects our motivation, regret in children, and how easy it is to access regret from our memories.  Britt joins us for Fangirl Fixation to surprisingly stand up for M. Night and talk about the performances she enjoyed from The Village Psychology of Regret Regret and Motivation Regret and Children Regret and Memory Listen! Fangirl Fixation: 0:04:09 Regret: 0:17:55 The Village with Karly: 0:30:54 Rate and Review on iTunes!

Episode 73 Our old buddy, Jon Mitchell, is back on the show this week to help us discuss the latest installment in a revered franchise, Transporter Refueled. We pair this review with a debate about the best and worst replacement actors in film.

In this episode, Dave brings back a favorite guest, Michael Denniston from the War Machine vs War Horse podcast, to talk about L.A. Confidential.  Britt is, of course, back for more Fangirl Fixation and tells us how not confusing this movie really is despite other opinions.  Dave discusses the dangers of ambition before bringing in Mike for some excellent discourse on L.A. Confidential. The Value of Aiming High Ambition Gone Awry Career Success Listen! Fangirl Fixation: 0:03:51 Ambition: 0:17:14 L.A. Confidential with Michael: 0:28:14 Rate and Review on iTunes!

Episode 71 Light up the bong and grab the heavy weapons, it's time for us to review the film, American Ultra. In honor of the film's leads, Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart, we debate the best and worst "one-note" actors in film.

In this episode, Dave looks at one of his favorite movies of last year, The Babadook.  During Fangirl Fixation, Britt opens up about her numerous phobias and tells us why she will probably never watch this movie again.  As far as psychology, Dave tells you about the dangers of repression, especially regarding grief.  Finally, Web Bist from  It's Terrific  joins the show to gush about The Babadook! Consequences of Anxious Repression Suppression in Addiction Prolonged Grief Disorder Listen! Fangirl Fixation: 0:05:10 Repression: 0:19:18 The Babadook with Web: 0:32:17 Rate and Review on iTunes!

In this episode, Dave takes on the monster task of reviewing Jaws.  Thankfully, he not only has the usual assistance of Britt during Fangirl Fixation.  He is joined later in the episode by Jairo from the  True Bromance Film Podcast !  Discussed during the episode are drinking songs, divorce, giving birth at later ages, the definition of masculinity, among many other topics!  Enjoy! Masculinity and Drinking Games Definition of Masculinity Gender Role Stress Listen! Fangirl Fixation: 0:04:55 Masculinity: 0:21:30 Jaws with Jairo: 0:35:08 Rate and Review on iTunes! Visit our website!

In this episode, Dave and Britt watch the criminally underrated Edge of Tomorrow.  Britt straps on her "Fem Boots" and discusses the inequities of Hollywood for women.  All this while inebriated.  Good times.  Dave tells you about self sacrifice, both in life threatening situations and in relationships.  Enjoy! Listen! Show Notes Fangirl Fixation: 0:03:26 Self Sacrifice:0:21:26 Edge of Tomorrow: 0:35:57 Rate and Review on iTunes! Visit our website!

Pop Culture Case Study and Fangirl Fixation officially join Common Room's #PotterWeek!  We wax philosophical about our favorite characters and storylines.  Plus, Britt schools Dave on how these books actually start.  Fun! #PotterPeeps For more info on #Potterweek go to  comrom.co/announcing-potterweek .

In this episode, Dave takes a look at the Academy Award winner for Best Picture last year, Birdman.  Britt discusses why she will probably never watch it again.  Then, Dave discusses the film in terms of the main character's obvious psychosis.  Enjoy! Listen! Show Notes Fangirl Fixation: 0:03:50 Psychosis:0:19:40 Birdman: 0:36:31 Rate and Review on iTunes! Visit our website!

In this episode, Dave finally gets to research something positive as he delves into how people can respond positively to trauma.  Paired with this, timed with the new release, Ant-Man, is the original MCU film, Iron Man.  Let's go back in time to before Dave was exhausted with Marvel movies.  Britt again stops by to tell us how she feels about Iron Man and the MCU. Listen! Show Notes Fangirl Fixation: 0:04:39 Post Traumatic Growth:0:24:51 Iron Man: 0:42:49 Rate and Review on iTunes! Visit our website!

In this episode, Dave watches The Terminator to get the bad taste of Terminator: Genisys out of his mouth.  Yikes!  Remember when this series was good?  Let's go back in time to 1984!  You see what I did there?  Anyway, a very tired Britt joins us for Fangirl Fixation to find out if the original holds up.  After this, Dave teaches you a bit about humans natural reaction to stress, the fight-or-flight reflex.  And of course, we tie it into the situation of poor Sarah Connor in The Terminator. Listen! Show Notes Fangirl Fixation: 0:02:57 Fight or Flight:0:19:54 The Terminator: 0:37:23 Rate and Review on iTunes! Visit our website!