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PODCAST
Introducing Screen Thoughts' podcast, a captivating conversation that delves into the world of television and movies through a unique lens—the female perspective. Led by Christine Merser, who for the past seven years has brought interesting women to the table to discuss what's on the screen each week, wet thoroughly examine everything on the screen, from the intricacies of plot-lines to the cultural significance portrayed. Join us as we dissect and discuss the latest releases, classics, and hidden gems, offering insightful commentary that highlights the diverse experiences and viewpoints of women in media. From thought-provoking analysis to celebrating empowering narratives, "Screen Thoughts" is your go-to destination for captivating conversation on screen entertainment through a feminist lens. Tune in and gain a fresh, engaging take on the world of TV and film.
Listen on your platform of choice.
Film Review: Hamnet
Wilder and Merser discuss the extraordinary emotional depth of Hamnet, exploring a film layered with grief, marriage, motherhood, memory, art, and the mysterious relationship between loss and creation. In this deeply thoughtful episode of Screen Thoughts, they unpack one of the most moving and beautifully crafted films they have seen in years.
Christine Merser
May 201 min read
Film Review Podcast: Remarkably Bright Creatures
Christine Merser reviews Netflix’s Remarkably Bright Creatures, starring Sally Field and Lewis Pullman, reflecting on grief, friendship, aging, and the quiet emotional power of the film’s unforgettable octopus, Marcellus.
Christine Merser
May 121 min read
Film review: The Reluctant Fundamentalist: A Film America Wasn’t Ready For
In this episode I take a deep dive into The Reluctant Fundamentalist, a film that should have been front-row center but never got its moment. I talk about Riz Ahmed’s extraordinary performance, the quiet brilliance of Mira Nair’s direction, the music that pulls you into another cultural syntax, and the way the film exposes America’s post-9/11 blind spots without shouting. It is a story about identity, belonging, and the small humiliations that shape a life. And maybe more tha
Christine Merser
Dec 2, 20251 min read
TV Series Review: The Diplomat, Season Three
Merser and Wilder could not wait to unpack Season Three of The Diplomat, which Merser calls “the best of the three, by a diplomatic mile.” After a quick walk through Seasons One and Two, they dive into the complex and ingenious storytelling that defines this season. You cannot talk about The Diplomat without invoking The West Wing and Homeland, and Debora Cahn, who wrote for both, shows how to fuse the best of those worlds while making something singular in The Diplomat. The
Christine Merser
Oct 21, 20251 min read
TV Series Review: Adolescence
Christine’s review of Adolescence, Netflix’s #1 series about an eleven-year-old boy who kills his classmate, will have you turning off her video to start watching it—if you haven’t already. Starring Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper, the show addresses, in a new and painfully palatable way, the demise of our tweens and teens and the perils they face growing up in a society that has unwittingly nurtured these outcomes. And for film buffs, the way this series was shot and rolled o
Christine Merser
Mar 26, 20251 min read
Film Review: A Real Pain
Christine Merser AKA Hollister has nothing but praise for Jesse Eisenberg from the start of this week's episode, as she dives into his latest film, A Real Pain, which he wrote, directed, and starred in. Starring alongside Eisenberg is Kieran Culkin, as the two portray mismatched Jewish-American cousins traveling to Poland to honor their late grandmother—taking us on a heartfelt, funny, and emotional journey. In a surprising first, Christine places another writer on the same p
Christine Merser
Jan 22, 20251 min read
TV Series Review: Martha
Christine Merser aka Hollister has a solo episode for us after watching and being left speechless by Netflix's new documentary, Martha, about Martha Stewart. Christine marvels about Martha being our first real influencer and first female self-made billionaire, her sense of excellence and what that sometimes means for the people around her, and concludes with a heartfelt apology.
Christine Merser
Nov 5, 20241 min read
Film Review: Fresh Kills
Christine Merser (AKA Hollister) goes this one alone. Fresh Kills, according to her review, should have been front and center at the Academy Awards. Was it overlooked because it's the first mafia genre film told from a woman's perspective? How could it have been overlooked? According to Hollister, it provides a perfect script, amazing acting, and a plotline that explores not only insight into mafia life but also inner family relationships: a strong father versus a daughter wh
Christine Merser
Oct 14, 20241 min read
Film Review: May December
"May December," featuring a star-studded cast including Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman, is much more than the torrid story of a seventh-grade teacher who ensnared her student, went to prison for it, and married him upon her release. It transcends that narrative, offering a profound exploration of complex themes. Don't miss the discussion on the film's production, including the techniques employed by Todd Haynes. His interpretations consistently delve deeper than the obvio
Christine Merser
Dec 15, 20231 min read
Film Review: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
High schooler Addie Tedrow, a lover of all things Hunger Games, joins Christine Merser to discuss the latest in the series, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, as well as the other stories in the iconic Hunger Games franchise.
Christine Merser
Dec 11, 20231 min read
Film Reviews: NYAD & The Holdovers
"The Holdovers," bringing back 70s and 80s boarding school films, heads toward awards season with Paul Giamatti finding his way to front-page news. Why hasn't he had more starring roles when he's such a strong actor? We have our theories. And "NYAD", where Annette Bening and Jodie Foster save the day. NYAD's swim is an amazing feat, no question about that. How they made it into a movie is up for discussion. Listen anywhere you get your podcasts.
Christine Merser
Nov 15, 20231 min read
Film Review: The Burial
Who knew that the movie The Burial on Amazon Prime was as fabulously brilliant and fun and compelling as it is? Don’t watch the trailer. Just listen to this podcast and go watch. Better yet? They agree! Hollister and Wilder are both huge fans. Listen anywhere you get your podcasts.
Christine Merser
Nov 2, 20231 min read
TV Series Review: Lessons in Chemistry
This week it's all about "Lessons in Chemistry" on AppleTV+. It should not come as a surprise to regular listeners of Screen Thoughts that Hollister and Wilder hold differing opinions on the show, on pretty much every front. And, just in time for Halloween, Hollister shares some insider information on the 25th anniversary of "Practical Magic," starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Listen anywhere you get your podcasts.
Christine Merser
Oct 27, 20231 min read
TV Series Review: The Super Models & Flora and Son
Hollister welcomes the writers back to work and comments on the opening line of the new contract, which is something out of Star Wars to be sure. First up is 'The Super Models,' the documentary (Hollister takes offense that it's even in that category) surrounding the four super models of the eighties; Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista and how they found their way to superstardom. But the highlight is the discovery of John Carney's Flora
Christine Merser
Oct 10, 20231 min read
TV Series Review: The Morning Show, Season 3
Merser and Wilder talk The Morning Show, reviewing this new season and commenting on the past two seasons, all the while discussing women's increasing power in the making of film & television and what an exciting time it is for our ability to showcase women in film and history. Such a great show this week. Part of the strike is still on, but hope springs eternal that the role of women will continue to grow! **This podcast was recorded before the writer's strike had ended. Lis
Christine Merser
Sep 28, 20231 min read
Film Review: Oppenheimer
Christine and Wilder speed through their review of the three hour Oppenheimer, singing its praises, its importance and so many behind the scenes extras. Is it about Nolan, the director? The acting acumen of everyone, from Cillian Murphy to Robert Downey? The cinematography tricks? So many things to consider. One of Christine’s recommendations is to watch Fat Man and Little Boy, the 1989 film about the Manhattan Project before you see this. Or read American Prometheus: The Tri
Christine Merser
Jul 23, 20231 min read
Talking the Crowded Room, the Hollywood Writer's Strike, Golda, and More
Christine (AKA Hollister) and Wilder dissect Apple’s the Crowded Room, and address Christine’s POV around the futility of the writer’s...
Christine Merser
Jul 10, 20231 min read
Documentary Film Review: "At The River"
The names of many of the heroes of the Civil Rights movement are well known to us today: MLK, Malcolm X, Medgar Evers—the list goes on....
Christine Merser
Jun 23, 20232 min read
TV Series Review: The Diplomat
On a very special episode of Screen Thoughts, Christine Merser, Bryan Cohen and Shanette Barth Cohen give a review of Netflix's The Diplomat, kicking off the episode with praise for the show's creator Debora Cahn. They are chock full of admiration and talk about the comparisons to so many past TV shows; The West Wing, Grey’s Anatomy, Homeland, all of which Debora wrote for. Some say it’s the best series on television. Don’t miss this review. One of the best from Screen Though
Christine Merser
Apr 25, 20231 min read
Talking The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Renfield, Mafia Mama & Jennifer Garner
What a week it was chatting about Mario’s amazing box office receipts, Mafia Mama (look for no lovers on this podcast), and Renfield. We...
Christine Merser
Apr 24, 20231 min read
Talking Hollywood Remakes, a Review of Air & What We've Been Watching
Tim Miller is back, guest co-hosting with Hollister and this podcast is chock full of film. They don’t agree on Air at all, with comparison’s by Hollister to Jerry Maguire versus Tim’s comparison to Moneyball. Some interesting takes on the new surge of Hollywood remakes. What do Spielberg and Tim have in common? A lot actually, and recommendations - quick ones for what is coming in April and what Tim and Hollister saw in March. In the episode you'll hear also Hollister & Mill
Christine Merser
Apr 14, 20231 min read
TV Series Review: Bad Sisters
Bad Sisters. “If those are bad sisters, I want to be one!” said Hollister. Mixing comedy with drama (tragedy?) is a good combination according to Hollister and with some exceptions in approach, Wilder agrees. Don’t miss their review of this new series by Sharon Hogan of Catastrophe fame and fortune.
Christine Merser
Sep 21, 20221 min read
TV Series Review: House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon. Game of Thrones. Don’t get Wilder started on the fantasy appeal for both. But she even won Hollister over with the need to at least give House of the Dragon a try. Plot. Cinematography. Acting. Special Effects.
Christine Merser
Sep 9, 20221 min read
TV Series Review: A League of Their Own (2022)
Join Wilder and Hollister as they celebrate and evaluate the new Amazon Prime series, A League of Their Own. Hollister takes us back to 1992’s A League of Their Own with Penny Marshall, and some of the highlights.
Christine Merser
Aug 24, 20221 min read
TV Series Review: The Bear
Wilder and Hollister discuss The Bear, the acclaimed series about restaurant life, family, grief, ambition, and the exhausting pursuit of excellence. From the writing and performances to the intensity of the kitchen itself, they explore why The Bear feels so real, and whether it is a show meant to be savored slowly or binged all at once.
Christine Merser
Jul 26, 20221 min read
TV Series Review: Loot
Wilder and Hollister discuss Loot, the sharp and surprisingly thoughtful satire set inside the world of billionaires, wealth, and philanthropy. The conversation explores why the series works beyond the comedy, along with a broader discussion about why Apple TV+ continues to quietly produce some of the strongest shows on television right now.
Christine Merser
Jul 12, 20221 min read
Film Review: Everything Everywhere All at Once
"Is it an age thing?" queries Hollister a number of times to Wilder during the review. Either way, so many points of view around so many things that came up for both Hollister and Wilder while they watched the film. And, one of our interns weighs in. We also hear from an active listener and no one agrees? Maybe that’s the sign of a great film. Either way, the much talked about Everything Everywhere All at Once is a heated conversation around what it means and why it matters.
Christine Merser
Jun 22, 20221 min read
Film Review: Top Gun Maverick
Hollister and Wilder feel the need for speed and want to alert you all that there are spoilers in our review of Top Gun: Maverick. Hollister is not a Cruise fan; Wilder is. Join us as we discuss this sequel that's been thirty-six years in the making.
Christine Merser
Jun 12, 20221 min read
TV Series Review: Under the Banner of Heaven
The Mormon Church's secrets exposed. A murder in the eighties. Mormon Fundamentalists meets the power of the Mormon Church dedicated to making sure the dirty underpinnings of its challenging history stays buried. Hollister recommends watching Netflix's documentary, Murder Among the Mormons before watching Under the Banner of Heaven. Different murder. Same issue. For a passive religious philosophy, a lot of murdering going on.
Christine Merser
Jun 1, 20221 min read
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