The Silver Nitrate Witches' Movie Review Brew | Podcast on RSS.com

The Silver Nitrate Witches' Movie Review Brew

The Silver Nitrate Witches' Movie Review Brew

by Laura Valenza & Isabelle Lang

Film History Film Reviews

Season 3

Potion #3: Movie Stars Are Born

Your Silver Nitrate Witches invite you to join their book coven—er, I mean, club—to learn about the birth of the concept of the movie star and how it's tied to the Old Hollywood studio system. We consult film scholar Jeanine Basinger's seminal text on the subject, The Star Machine (2007) (great read, highly recommend!). We also discuss whether or not Anne Hathaway is truly a movie star, conflicting American values, zaniness, our first grimoire/season, and... Hags! (What?! It means 'Have a Great Summer'...) You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their songs "Movie" and “Highway Moon.” You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com. Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.

Eileen (2023)

The adaptation theme continues as the Silver Nitrate Witches discuss Eileen, the 2023 movie based on the Ottessa Moshfegh novel of the same name. This episode features a guest, film critic Payton McCarty-Simas. Your Silver Nitrate Witches consider how Eileen star Anne Hathaway's career has changed over the course of two decades. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their songs "Movie" and “Highway Moon.” You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com. Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.

Armageddon Time (2022)

This week, the Silver Nitrate Witches explore the darker magic Anne Hathaway has brought out in her more recent indie films, where the actress has embraced serious and not-so-likeable roles that showcase her full range. We're talking about Armageddon Time (2022), a film set in 1980 that explores connections between that era and American racism, classism, and antisemitism today. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their songs "Movie" and “Highway Moon.” You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com. Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

As the world flocks back to Runway with the release of the sequel this month, the Silver Nitrate Witches take a look at The Devil Wears Prada (2006), growing up with Anne Hathaway, and the strangest grilled cheese with a special surprise guest. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks to Fine Motor for the use of their music. You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com. Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.

Ocean's 8 (2018), ft. Audra Lambert

This week, the Silver Nitrate Witches have an addition to our coven - our first guest Audra Lambert, who joins us as our art, gallery, and museum correspondent! Together, the three of us gather around the cauldron to chat about Ocean's 8 (2018), heist movies, and headlines of the art world. Audra Lambert currently serves as Curator of New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art at the University of Southern Indiana, and has worked in an arts advising and curatorial capacity with a range of civic organizations and institutions. You can find her online at audraveronalambert.com, and on Instagram @av_lambert_ You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks to Fine Motor for the use of their songs “Highway Moon” and “Movie.” You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com. Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.

Get Smart (2008)

I got 99 problems, but Agent 99 ain't one of them! I spy with my little eye a new episode about super secret agents and the sub-sub-genre of the spoof spy movie. Also, Isabelle's desk is noisy and the world's loudest snow plow was coming down Laura's street, so apologies for any background noise! You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their song “Highway Moon.” You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com. Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.

Ella Enchanted (2004)

Join your Silver Nitrate Witches on a trip to Frell this week, visiting Hathaway in her fantasy role of Ella, from Ella Enchanted (2004). We talk all things Cinderella story, some early aughts fashion, and Heidi Klum. Isabelle even agrees with Roger Ebert for once! You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches, Laura Valenza and Isabelle Lang, on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks to Fine Motor for the use of their music! You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com. Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.

The Princess Diaries (2001)

This week, Isabelle takes us back 25 years to the film debut of the star of our season, Anne Hathaway, with The Princess Diaries. We spend some time appreciating Garry Marshall's and Meg Cabot's separate visions, reminiscing about the cool girl-power movie we grew up with, and being bothered by Roger Ebert. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches, Laura Valenza and Isabella Lang, on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their music. You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com. Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies!

Mother Mary (2026)

Mother Mary comes to me speaking words of wisdom, and she will NOT let it be in this new movie that is as flowing and beautiful as red silk and Shakespearean poetry. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their song “Highway Moon.” You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com. Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.

Sleeping Draught #10: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026)

Have the Clackers at Runway finally grown a backbone? We’ll have to watch and see. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their song “Highway Moon.” You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com. Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.

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