On this week’s show, Julia and Dana are joined by June Thomas for a decidedly feminist discussion. They start with Sorry, Baby, the debut feature from writer, director, and actor Eva Victor, about a young academic’s life after a terrible trauma. The panel debates whether the film— which was a Sundance hit for A24 — is a tart, surprising traumedy or a frustratingly evasive experiment.
Next, they get into Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print, the HBO documentary about the pioneering feminist magazine. Finally, they take up a recent New York Times piece to determine whether the straight white male novelist is a thing of the past—and if we should care. Steve hops on the call to offer his token male perspective, naturally.
In an exclusive plus bonus episode, the feminist discourse continues with a conversation about the oft overlooked fashion designer Claire McCardell, who is the subject of a recent biography Claire McCardell: The Designer Who Set Women Free by Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson and book review by our very own Julia Turner.
Endorsements:
Dana: The essay “It’s Only An Island If You Look At It From The Water” by Elizabeth Cantwell in Bright Wall Dark Room about the film Jaws on its 50th anniversary.
June : The action film Heads of State starring John Cena and Idris Elba, or “Mamma Mia! with explosions.”
Julia - The new book Empire of the Elite by Michael Grynbaum about the magisterial publishing reign of Condé Nast. (Recently excerpted in the New York Times.)
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1:02:41
Brad Pitt’s Victory Lap Edition
On this week’s show, Steve, Julia, and guest host Sam Adams are off to races with F1:The Movie, the new Brad Pitt racing vehicle featuring lots of racing vehicles. Is the thrill ride more than the sum of its sports movie cliches, high-octane action sequences, and perpetually handsome movie-star? Does the answer even matter?
Next, they’re joined by Slate senior supervising producer Daisy Rosario to decode the particularly British charms of Taskmaster, the UK panel/game-show now in its 19th season. Finally, what’s more fun to pick apart than a best of list? Dana Stevens hops in to dissect the New York Times’s 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century interactive feature.
In an exclusive Plus bonus episode, the topic is: sex! Specifically, the hosts discuss the status—and seeming decline—of sex in Hollywood movies.
Endorsements:
Sam: Drinking the anise-flavored aperitif pastis, the French brand Henri Bardouin is a good one to try.
Julia: The delicious Los Angeles restaurant Tomat in the most unlikely of locales: a strip mall by LAX International Airport.
Steve: The album Cunningham Bird by Andrew Bird and Madison Cunningham and the song Sara by Fleetwood Mac.
Dana: The production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It available to stream on National Theatre at Home.
Our Panelist’s Top Ten(ish) Movies of the 21st Century:
Dana:
4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days
The Act of Killing
Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner)
Bright Star
Children of Men
Grizzly Man
Parasite
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Moonlight
There Will Be Blood
Julia:
I’m Still Here
Mean Girls
Get Out
Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Zombieland
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Erin Brockovich
The Act of Killing
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Sam:
In the Mood for Love
The Act of Killing
The Grand Budapest Hotel
The Gleaners and I
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
A Serious Man
It’s Such a Beautiful Day
The New World
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
The Death of Stalin
Stephen:
Anora
Spotlight
Toni Erdmann
The Lives of Others
Paddington 2
Meyerowitz Stories
Spirited Away
Get Out
There Will Be Blood
Mulholland Drive
Parasite
A Separation
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1:04:51
Daddygang Rage Virus Edition
On this week’s show, Julia, Dana, and Steve return to the Rage Virus-infected world first created by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland two decades ago. They talk about 28 Years Later and what the zombie movie sequel has to say about now. A lot it turns out: COVID, Brexit, human mortality, and more.
Next, they grapple with the media phenomenon that is Alex Cooper—the spunky and sexually frank host of the blockbuster podcast Call Her Daddy— by discussing the recent documentary about her rise, Call Her Alex. Finally, they analyze the loping, charming, sister-rock appeal of Haim’s new album I quit.
In an exclusive Slate Plus segment, the hosts spoil the ending of 28 Years Laters and get into all the film’s twists that make it such a surprising, interesting ride.
Endorsements:
Dana: More Haim, specifically their 2020 Tiny Desk concert performed on Zoom.
Steve: The underappreciated band The Cry. And if you like that, more music from their Manchester-based record label Factory Records.
Julia: The charming hang of The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast.
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1:04:48
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1:04:48
Can Materialists Revive the Rom-com Edition
On this week’s show, Steve and Dana are joined by guest host Dan Kois to weigh the suitability of Materialists as a rom-com for our transactional age. In choosing between suitors played by Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, matchmaker Dakota Johnson must choose between love and money— but is there a soul beneath all this romantic calculation? They debate.
Next, they return to the depths of a billionaire-backed fiasco in the new documentary Titan: The OceanGate Submersible Disaster about the jaw-dropping 2023 submarine implosion. Finally, they remember and appreciate the life and ineffable, enduring work of pop music auteur, and Beach Boys, frontman Brian Wilson.
In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Steve, Dana, and Dan discuss Lauren Michelle Jackson’s New Yorker essay about “P.O.V.” videos and what they say about how we see the world.
Want more Culture Gabfest? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the Culture Gabfest show page. Or, visit slate.com/cultureplus to get access wherever you listen.
Endorsements:
Dana - The intimate and revealing 2021 documentary about Brian Wilson, Long Promised Road.
Carl - Seeing the singular and surreal British musician Robyn Hitchcock live. And if he’s not coming to city near you, catching his performance in the Jonathan Demme-directed documentary Storefront Hitchcock.
Dan - For deeper exploration of his body of work, Brian Wilson’s 1988 self-titled solo album.
For an innovative portrayal of another eccentric musical genius the film Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould.
Steve - Roberto Bolaño's posthumous masterwork 2066, Netflix’s new mystery thriller Dept Q, and sticking with works of art beyond their initial chapters.
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1:04:51
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1:04:51
Pee Wee’s Big Documentary Edition
On this week’s show, the secret word is: Pee-wee. Dana, Steve, and Julia discuss the new documentary Pee-wee as Himself. The fascinating two-part film, directed by Matt Wolf, attempts to reveal the complex man Paul Reubens behind the beloved, surprisingly subversive, goofball that was Pee-wee Herman.
Next, they tee off to talk about Stick, the new comedy series starring Owen Wilson set in the world of professional golf. In the third segment, they’re joined by Atlantic staff writer Caity Weaver to chat about her recently published, rollicking travel piece An Innocent Abroad in Mark Twain’s Paris.
In an exclusive Slate Plus segment, inspired by a listener question, the hosts each share their dream city they’d love to live in but have only ever visited.
Endorsements:
Steve: Sly Lives! the Questlove-directed documentary about the hugely influential pop star Sly Stone who recently passed away.
Julia: Season 2 of Poker Face and its smorgasbord of incredible guest appearances by beloved character actors.
Dana: The delightfully designed single-purpose website Oracle of Bacon.
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New York Times critic Dwight Garner says “The Slate Culture Gabfest is one of the highlights of my week.” The award-winning Culturefest features critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner debating the week in culture, from highbrow to pop. For more of Slate’s culture podcasts, check out the Slate Culture feed.
Want more Culture Gabfest? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the Culture Gabfest show page. Or, visit slate.com/cultureplus to get access wherever you listen.
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