J&M Podcast

This week, Jeanette and special guests, Colleen Bradley and Nzinga Murray, continue their journey of their Harry Potter franchise series to talk about the 2002 fantasy film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Director Chris Columbus (not to be confused with Christopher Columbus) and written by Steve Kloves. The film continues Harry Potter's journey at Hogwarts where the heir of Salazar Slytherin opens the Chamber of Secrets, unleashing a monster that petrifies the school's students. With the help of one of his friends, a house-elf who looks like a famous fake president, and a professor who lights are on but no one's home, Harry confronts both the beast and the heir of Slytherin. Special thanks to for taking part in this unique episode.

This week, Jeanette and special guest, Oscar Martinez, continue their journey of Greig Fraser cinematography series to talk about the 2012 political action thriller film, Zero Dark Thirty. Inspired by true events, the film dramatizes the nearly decade-long international manhunt for Osama bin Laden, leader of the terrorist network Al-Qaeda, after the September 11 attacks. This search leads to the discovery of his compound in Pakistan and the U.S. military raid where bin Laden was killed on May 2, 2011. While this is a controversial film of Fraiser's career, Oscar and Jeanette delve into his input and depiction of the raw scenes unfolding in front of the characters eyes. Special thanks to Oscar Martinez for taking part in this unique episode.

Today, Jeanette and special guest Elise Dean come together for their niche film series to talk about the 2023 Comedy Film, Quiz Lady. Directed by Jessica Yu, written by Jen D'Angelo and stars Sandra Oh and Awkwafina, the film focuses on a tightly wound, game show-obsessed young woman is encouraged by her eclectic older sister to compete on her favorite game show, Can’t Stop the Quiz, in order to pay their mother’s loan shark. From Ben Franklin with braces to a neighbor thinking Paul Reubens is Alan Cumming, this film delves into the sisterhood between complete opposites. Thank you Elise Dean for stopping by again to talk about this funny and eclectic film.

This week, Jeanette and special guest, Myles Webb, join together to talk about the 2013 Romantic-Comedy Drama, Enough Said. Written and Directed by Nicole Holofcener and starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener, Toni Collette and Ben Falcone. The film follows a divorced masseuse who begins a relationship with man who she is not fully attractive to, only to discover that her new boyfriend is the former husband of her client and new friend. From pulling perfectly good grass to affluent women driving a Chevy, Myles and Jeanette determine how niche this film can achieve. Special thanks to Myles Webb for taking part in this cute and sweet film.

This week, Jeanette and special guest, Jennifer Chan, continue their "Whatever We Feel Like Series" Series and talk about the 2018 Psychological Drama, Life Itself. Written and Directed by LDan Fogelman and starring Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde, Mandy Patinkin, and Antonio Banderas the film follows multiple couples over numerous generations, who are all connected to a single event. From a lack of continuity to what a critic considered as "Parental Slaughter", Jennifer and Jeanette determine if this should be consider a psychological thriller. Special thanks to Jennifer Chan for taking part in this sappy film with a couple of good scenes.

This week, Jeanette and Mero join forces to talk about the 1988 Fantasy Horror Comedy film, Beetlejuice. Directed by Tim Burton and written by Michael McDowell, Warren Skaaren, and Larry Wilson. The film stars Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis as a recently deceased couple who, as ghosts haunting their former home, contact Beetlejuice, an obnoxious and devious “bio-exorcist” from the Netherworld, to scare away the home’s new inhabitants. With the help of "I'm not like other girls" goth teen and a overqualified dead guy, the couple tries to learn the ropes of bureaucracy in the afterlife while trying to take back their once cozy house. From Warner Brothers giving bad advice to strange sculptures no one commissioned for, Jeanette and Mero determine the level or weirdness this film achieves. Thank you Mero for stopping by to talk about this bureaucratic, yet funny film.

This week, Jeanette and Mero join forces to talk about the 2004 American Action-Adventure Heist film, National Treasure. Directed by Jon Turteltaub and written by Jim Kouf and the Wibberleys, the film stars Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Franklin Gates, a middle aged man who searches for a massive lost Freemason treasure that has been hidden away by the founding fathers of the United States. With the help of his computer sick kick expert and a Pennsylvania Dutch archivist, Benjamin Franklin Gates makes excuses to steal the Declaration of Independence and expose it to "harsh" chemicals like lemon and bad breath. From Nicolas Cage being Nicolas Cage to this movie is brought to you by Visa, Jeanette and Mero decide if this is a movie Cage has to complete to cover back taxes. Thank you Mero for stopping by to talk about this Uncharted-esq film.

This week, Jeanette and special guest, Colleen Bradley, continue their sci-fi/fantasy series to talk about the 1984 Comedy Horror film, Gemlins. Directed by Joe Dante, the film stars Zach Galligan as Billy, a young man who receives a mogwai creature from his father as a Christmas gift. With the pet, Billy has to follow three rules: do not take the mogwai into a bright light, especially sunlight; do not place the mogwai in water; and do not give the mogwai food after midnight. When Billy accidentally breaks all three rules, he encounter devious versions of the mogwai who wreak havoc in the small town. With the help of his "gal" friend and his mogwai, Billy must find a way to get rid of the creatures and stop them from destroying the town. From watching different PG versions of the film to debating whether it was worth hiring voice actors for little dialogue, Jeanette and Colleen debate if this should be consider a Christmas movie. Thank you Colleen for stopping by to talk about this unique, yet shocking film

Episode 80 - Postcards From The Edge by J&M Podcast

Episode 79 - Bend It Like Beckham by J&M Podcast

Episode 78 - Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone by J&M Podcast

Today, Jeanette and special guest Alec Baer come together for their films you should have seen in film school series to talk about the 2002 Meta Comedy-Drama Film, Adaptation. "Based" on a novel by Susan Orlean, the film was directed by Spike Jonze, written by Charlie Kaufman, and stars Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, and Chris Cooper. The film focuses on Charlie Kaufman struggle with writer's block as he tries to adapt Susan's Orlean's 1998 nonfiction book, The Orchid Thief. As he tries to figure out how to adapt the novel, Susan Orlean embarks on her investigation of John Laroche, who was arrested for taking rare Floridian orchids from their habitat in a Florida state park. From sprouted beans to Jeanette's hatred for a classic movie, the duo come together to explore the themes, symbolisms, and writing of this unique film. Thank you Alec for stopping by to talk about this amazing film.

Today, Jeanette and special guest Elise Dean come together for their niche film series to talk about the 2000 Romantic Drama Film, Where the Heart Is. Based on a novel by Billie Letts, the film was Directed by Matt Williams and written by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel and stars Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, and Stockard Channing. The film focuses on a pregnant 17 year old name Novalee Nation, who is left behind at a Walmart in Sequoyah, Oklahoma by her deadbeat Baby Daddy, Willie Jack. After giving birth to her daughter at the Walmart, she gains notoriety for having a "Walmart Baby". Over the course of five years, Novalee makes a new life in town with friendships and love. Thank you Elise Dean for stopping by again to talk about this character-driven film.

This week, Jeanette and special guest, Oscar Martinez, continue their journey of Greig Fraser cinematography series to talk about the 2018 American biographical political satire black comedy-drama film, Vice. Based on the life of former Vice President of the United States, Dick Cheney, the film follows Cheney on his path to becoming the most powerful Vice President in American history. Though this entry is subdue compared to Fraser's other work, we overcome our political beliefs to critique and praise the look of the film. From pursed bottom lip to calmly telling people that you are having a heart attach, the film delves deep into the mysterious mind of one of the least favorite politicians in US politics. Special thanks to Oscar Martinez for taking part in this unique episode.

This week, Jeanette and Mero come together to talk about the 1997 American Drama Film, The Ice Storm. Directed by Ang Lee, written by James Schamus, and based on a book of the same name by Rick Moody. The films focuses on two dysfunctional New Canaan, Connecticut, upperclass families who try to deal with tumultuous social changes of the early 1970s, and their escapism through alcohol, adultery, and sexual experimentation. From upperclass problems to a Nixon mask, this drama is packed with awkward conversations and mixed signals for all to cringe and adore.

Episode 73 - The Old Guard by J&M Podcast

This week, Jeanette and special guest, Colleen Bradley, begin their sci-fi/fantasy series to talk about the 2007 Romantic Fantasy Adventure film, Stardust. Based on Neil Gaiman's 1999 book and directed by Matthew Vaughn, the film stars Charlie Cox as Tristan, a young man who searches out for a falling star to a woman he likes who does not like him back. When he finds out the star is not only on the other side of a mythical - yet physical - wall, but the star is actually a woman name Yvaine. Soon he realize other people are after her, including a witch hunting her for her youth, and two adult Princes searching for the white ruby Yvaine has in order to take over their father's throne. From goats turning to humans to pirates capturing lightning, Tristan and Yvaine soon develop something more than memories. Thank you Colleen for stopping by to talk about this adventurous and compact movie.

This week, Jeanette and special guest Nzinga Murray come together for the journey in search of a Strong Female Lead Character film series to talk about the 2015 American Western Film, Jane Got a Gun. Directed by Gavin O'Connor, written by Brian Buffield, Anthony Tambakis, and Joel Edgerton, and starring Natalie Portman and Joel Edgerton the film follows a woman who asks her ex-lover for help in order to save her outlaw husband from a gang out to kill him. From a three year production hell to the fact that Ewan McGregor is in this film, both Nzinga and Jeanette debate whether the film should have an apostrophe and an s with Jane in the title. Thank you Nzinga Murray for talking about this weird yet interesting film

This week, Jeanette and special guest, Jennifer Chan, switch gears from our "Romantic Comedy Series that Isn't a Foreign Film Even Though We Started with Foreign Film Series" Series to "Whatever We Feel Like Series" Series and talk about the 1995 Coming-of-Age Drama, Kids. Directed by Larry Clarke and starring Leo Fitzpatrick, Justin Pierce, and Chloë Sevigny, the film follows a group of teens traveling around New York City skateboarding, drinking, smoking, and deflowering virgins over the course of 24 hours. Though the film is one of the most controversial films this podcast has ever talked about, Kids provide us and the audience a good lesson about the decisions we make in life. Special thanks to Jennifer Chan for taking part in this edgy film episode. Please note, this episode contains topics of sexual assault. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, RAINN has a 24/7 hotline that is both free and confidential. You can go online at rainn.org or at 800-656-HOPE (4673). Listener's discretion is advised.

This week, Jeanette and special guests, Nzinga Murray and Elise Dean, talk about the 2022 Action Adventure Comedy film, The Lost City. Starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum, the film follows a romance novelist and her cover model escaping from a billionaire who wants her to find a lost ancient burial chamber described in one of her books. From a Jamba Juice butt to tasting one's thoughts, this episode continues both our Bad-Ass Woman Series with Nzinga and begin a Hot Guy Alert/Niche series for Elise. Special thanks to Nzinga and Elise for taking part in this amazing and special three way call episode.