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 conc…

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…

"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…

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. Don't miss their interesting, intergenerational discussion of this film. Christine's fear of snakes coils…

"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 abo…

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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," starri…

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 Crawf…

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 s…

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…

Christine (AKA Hollister) and Wilder dissect Apple’s the Crowded Room, and address Christine’s POV around the futility of the writer’s strike, while Wilder defends it. And, Somebody Somewhere, season two on HBO? Christine speaks to the enormity and importance and talent of Bridget Everett’s hit. Golda, Helen Mirren’s portrayal of Golda Meir, comes …

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. But there were unsung heroes of the movement as well. Among these were white men of the cloth in rural towns and small cities of the American South, whose congregations might be wearing white cloaks on Saturday nig…

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 the episode off 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 …

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 finish up with Jennifer Garner, and her talent often unseen by the choices she has made in the films she has chosen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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 …

Lena Dunham’s latest creation is out and ready to be seen by mothers and daughters all across the land. Brave girl, that Lena Dunham. No one tackles the Medieval Ages in film. Recipe for failure is the reason why, but she goes forth, fearless in her quest to bring her favorite childhood book to life. Don’t miss this review. And according to Hollist…

Join Hollister and Wilder as they explore their favorite Halloween films. Spoiler alert: not all are about Halloween. They are, however, classics and it’s a great list of what to watch to get in that dark, scary place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesVon Christine Merser

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. And, and, and. The plot line is amazing and one of the things Wilder points out is that unlike Game of Thrones, this m…

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 Horgan of Catastrophe fame and fortune. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho…

Amazon Prime’s A League of Their Own Series: 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. Don’t miss out on this series, or their review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg…

Among Peacock's stream of new programming we found 'The Resort.' Hollister & Wilder are both fans of this show, where you're not quite sure where it's going as time goes on. Wilder found the relationship between the two main characters very relatable and loved Nick Offerman's contribution to the show. Hollister poses the question: do you ever wonde…

Recommended by so many and for such good reason. "One of the best series ever,” sang Hollister. Wilder is right there with her. They agreed on everything including the exceptional writing, acting and general approach to showing the truth behind how very hard it is to work in a restaurant. Hulu's The Bear touches on everything from family dynamics t…

Loot is a satire about the billionaire sector, but with some twists and turns that make it actually helpful, according to Hollister. Apple TV+ is nailing content right now, according to Wilder, and Loot is a part of it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesVon Christine Merser

Cha Cha Real Smooth, with Dakota Johnson, who according to Hollister has one speed - ‘coy,’ is described by Wilder as ’sweet’ and Hollister concurs. It’s worth the watch for sure. Vulnerable men? We are all in. Written, directed and starring Cooper Raiff, who is one of the darlings of Hollywood right now, Cha Cha Real Smooth is not to be missed. Li…

Sean Penn makes an all-in-the-family film with both his daughter, Dylan, and son, Hopper - one that he first read and shared with Dylan, now thirty, fifteen years ago. His performance is impeccable according to both Hollister and Wilder, but Dylan? Not so sure. But, for Hollister, the story might matter a lot to those who struggled with forgiveness…

"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. Eith…

Movie 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 this week. Hollister is not a Cruise fan; Wilder is. Join us for this sequel thirty-six years in the making. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Hollister can’t stop crying after watching The Valet, and had no idea that the Euginio Derbez, who hurt her heart in The Valet, also played the music teacher in the acclaimed Coda last year. He’s phenomenal. What a film, and the best part about it is that it’s not a RomCom as its touted, but rather a lesson in class differential and how to treat ot…

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 murde…

Hollister and Wilder come to blows over The Offer but agree on the fine work done by all in The Outfit. Think Mafia, but know that the Godfather wasn't allowed to use that word, or agreed not to, so the Mafia would 'allow' them to do the film. So much interesting information and back stories around both these projects. Don't miss this week's review…

Hollister and Wilder talk about two shows this week; Gaslit with Julia Roberts and The First Lady with Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer and Gillian Anderson. Much to discuss as our country's political history gets unveiled from the female perspective, which somehow got lost in a sea of men. Don’t miss this episode, although one of the two series both…

Hollister and Wilder come to blows about the worth of Netflix's Anatomy of a Scandal, as well as the way it was made. Don't miss it, and according to Hollister, watch it at your earliest convenience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesVon Christine Merser

Hollister and Wilder finally agree, and not only do they agree, they are singing the praises of what could be one of the finest series ever produced for the screen. Roots not withstanding. Don't miss this review, and if it doesn't make you immediately turn on the series, well, there is no hope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a…

Check out Screen Thought’s review of ABC’s Mockumentary, Abbott Elementary! Hollister and Wilder rave about Abbott Elementary because sometimes watching television should be sheer fun and laughter, and they announce April’s Film Club choice. Wilder’s pick this month. Bridgerton. Hollister’s eyes roll but she’s in. Premise: "A group of dedicated, pa…

Is Coda unique or just another remake of girl lives in dysfunctional family, meets fabulous boy and ends up with a groundbreaking try out to enter a new world where her immense talent can emerge? And, both Hollister and Wilder are overwhelmed with the brilliance of HBO’s new series, Winning Time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm…

Hollister has a personal story around Elizabeth Holmes and The Dropout and she is not inclined toward sympathy of any kind, and when it comes to Severance, both Hollister and Wilder had a lot to say. As everyone struggles with the new world of work environment and commitment to living life before job, it’s a thought provoking notion to separate you…

Movie Review: The Eyes of Tammy Faye by Christine Merser Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesVon Christine Merser

This week is chock full of bad peeps; #TinderSwindler; do not get Hollister started. Why is this man not in jail? Wilder goes wild for Nightmare Alley including the dark photography and dark deals. And, Hollister and Wilder disagree (what else is new?)over Netflix's #InventingAnna, which seems to be right in line with other media reviews; people ar…

Academy Awards. Killing Eve. And a review of Pam & Tommy, Hulu’s new series around the sex tapes from Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee, stolen and put out into the universe without their permission or compensation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesVon Christine Merser

Hollister and Wilder walk through Kristen Bell and her Woman in the House ... So much to discuss, including Wilder's idea around how they could have done the title. Don't miss it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesVon Christine Merser

Hollister goes nostalgic having lived through the sixties/seventies abortion break throughs. Either way, Sundance's Call Jane is the story of "Jane" who you can call if you need an abortion; an illegal, scary, abortion. It's a network of women who make sure that women who want to end their pregnancies can do so in a safe environment. It's not out y…

Hollister doesn't think it's worthy of her attention although she touts episode 5 and the forty minute story that shows how sexual abuse from celebrities happens. Wilder doesn't think that the documentary (it's supposed to be a docu-series but Hollister would say it's more so reality tv) goes far enough into the scandal uncovering. Either way, they…

Julian Fellowes has left England behind and brought this well-researched, upstairs downstairs drama to HBO (they are nailing new content this month!) in the form of the Gilded Age. Starring the likes of Cynthia Nixon (you might not recognize her) and Christine Baranski, as the old money and some fresh talent as the new, the Gilded Age transports us…

Our new Screen Thoughts Shorts where we podcast a short review around something we think is timely or relevant shouldn’t be missed. First stop? Somebody Somewhere. Do not miss all the feelings and laughter and sadness and hope that comedian Bridget Everett brings to Somebody Somewhere, the brainchild of HBO. While we're just a few episodes in to se…

Ok, we knew these three wouldn’t be rocket science, but ? Hollister stands by And Just Like That, and Wilder can’t relate, which according to Hollister is no surprise given Wilder’s age. And Emily and the ladies of Pivoting? Well, listen and see what you think. And, the scandal around Emily in Paris and the Golden Globes will leave you understandin…

This week Hollister and Wilder remember Sidney Poitier, and talk through Maggie Gyllenhaal's The Lost Daughter, both from the perspective of a woman who has never had children and one who has. So much to discuss in this film and Hollister predicts many nods from the upcoming awards season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi…

Hollister and Wilder are back after a short few weeks celebrating the holidays with two films - Don’t Look Up and Being the Ricardos. How does Dr. Strangelove enter into it all? Blame it on Wilder. Such controversy around the Richardos film, and in both films, women reign supreme. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

King Richard, or the story about Richard William's complicated personality and design for Venus and Serena to become who they became; two of the greatest women tennis players in the world. And, Tick, Tick... Boom! Wilder raves, Hollister follows. And a call out to Screen Thoughts lovers to participate in a conversation about Martha Marcey May's res…

Hollister and Wilder talk about the sophisticated, The Harder They Fall film that is on Netflix, and according to both of them, is not to be missed. We share some great back story info to give perspective to the film, and some history to round out how wonderful the entire production is. Don’t miss this podcast, and especially listen if Westerns are…

Finally Steve Martin has written a series worthy of his talent and Hollister is all over it. Great short review to get you scheduling it for holiday viewing with the family. Selena Gomez? Mixed reviews. Is she a bad actor, or just playing a role that makes her look like one? That is the question. Martin Short? Fresh off the stage in The Morning Sho…