Screen Thoughts
We love all things on the screen and we love to talk and comment on it.
Screen Thoughts Reviews & Podcasts
Screen Thoughts Reviews & Podcasts
Screen Thoughts: From a female perspective by women who believe in the virtue and power of film and television for every woman and how she perceives herself. Our podcast, reviews and news put everything on the table for discussion. We all believe that the work we do in evaluating and reviewing what's on the screen is valuable and entertaining and engaging. Join us, and if you would like to be a part of what we are doing, get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Screen Thoughts. Hollister podcasts on all things film and television from a female perspective. The Screen Thoughts podcast and reviews put everything on the table for discussion. We all believe that the work we do in evaluating and reviewing what's on the screen is important and entertaining and engaging.
Film review: The Reluctant Fundamentalist: A Film America Wasn’t Ready For
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 than anything, it’s a r
TV Show Review: The Diplomat, Season Three
TV Show 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 plot is a high-stakes
Dog Day Afternoon #BlastFromThePast (Released 1975)
Dog Day Afternoon #BlastFromThePast (Released 1975)
Half a century later, its themes feel prophetic. Identity, systemic inequity, and a culture addicted to media spectacle are even sharper in today’s world, where every crisis is broadcast and replayed in seconds. Dog Day Afternoon isn’t just a time capsule of the 1970s — it’s a mirror, reminding us how spectacle, desperation, and humanity intertwine.
The Net #BlastFromThePast
The Net #BlastFromThePast
Released in 1995, The Net imagined a world where one woman’s identity could be erased with a keystroke, long before we understood just how much power the internet would hold over our lives.
Bring it On #BlastFromThePast (Released in early September 2000)
Bring it On #BlastFromThePast (Released in early September 2000)
Why it Matters A high-energy cheerleading comedy that debuted 25 years ago, Bring It On quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Directed by Peyton Reed, it launched a beloved franchise and emerged as a cult classic that still resonates for its wit, sass, and social commentary on competition, identity, and teamwork. It’s the perfect pick to spark nostalgic conversations and empower listeners to revisit an underrated classic.Bring It On - TrailerAbout the FilmBring It On premiered in late August/ear
Almost Famous #BlastFromThePast (Dropped September 13, 2000)
Almost Famous #BlastFromThePast (Dropped September 13, 2000)
Remember September 2000? Y2K panic was officially behind us, iPods hadn’t yet replaced our mix CDs, and the soundtrack to every vaguely rebellious teenage life was something between Dave Matthews Band and early Coldplay. The world was straddling two centuries and two identities, half clinging to analog nostalgia and half sprinting into digital chaos. Then came Almost Famous, a quiet little movie with a big, messy heart, and Cameron Crowe dropped it right into the middle of our yearning for somet
Film Review: Highest 2 Lowest
Film Review: Highest 2 Lowest
Spike Lee and Highest 2 Lowest: A RevelationIn my earlier, immature, less enlightened years, I didn’t get Spike Lee. I didn’t like the music. I didn’t like the heat. And then, at some point, I sort of forgot about him altogether.Last year, though, I put together a film series on racial storytelling in America. We screened To Kill a Mockingbird, Mississippi Burning, In the Heat of the Night, and then left the final slot open for the public to choose. They picked Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. I
HBO Series Review: And Just Like That. The Beast In Me Coming out in November.
HBO Series Review: And Just Like That. The Beast In Me Coming out in November.
Time to say good-bye to all things Sex and the City, and hear about the exciting announcement of Claire Danes' new show coming out in November, The Beast in Me. -CMAnd Just Like ThatIt's finally the end of the line. And Just Like That is cancelled. Indefinitely. No rush. What took them so long? And, just like that we finally get to put it all to bed with nothing of substance to put in the memory chest other than a few pairs of shoes that won't fit our expanding, aging feet. We should have bought
Fourth of July 2025. Watch Our Nation on the Screen. Skip the Parades.
Fourth of July 2025. Watch Our Nation on the Screen. Skip the Parades.
On this 4th of July, choose the screen, not the parades. Look at great American moments from our past. Hope they can come back in the future. Hollister...
The Silence of the Lambs (R)
The Silence of the Lambs (R)
Adolescence Netflix Series Review
Adolescence Netflix Series Review
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 out is game-changing.
I'm Still Here: When Personal Memory Becomes a Universal Story
I'm Still Here: When Personal Memory Becomes a Universal Story
Some of the greatest movies tell stories that are so personal they become universal. The Brazilian film I'm Still Here achieves exactly this, explaining its resonance with audiences and critics worldwide, as evidenced by its three Academy Award nominations: Best Picture, Best International Feature Film, and Best Leading Actress for Fernanda Torres.The film focuses on the story of Eunice Paiva, a woman whose life was irrevocably altered by Brazil's military dictatorship on a warm day in January 1
Movie Review: A Real Pain
Movie 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 pedestal as Aaron Sork
TV Show Review: Martha
TV Show 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. Who should watch this? Any woman in business. Or maybe just any woman. What we took away? Learn something new every da
Movie Review: Fresh Kills
Movie 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 who wants out, a mothe
TV Show Review: Nobody Wants This
TV Show Review: Nobody Wants This
You're Invited to a Virtual Screening of "Trusted Sources" (7PM)
You're Invited to a Virtual Screening of "Trusted Sources" (7PM)
Join us on Tuesday, September 17 at 7 PM EDT, for a screening on Zoom of Don Colacino's documentary film “Trusted Sources’ followed by a Q&A with Don, led Christine Merser. In short, "Trusted Sources helps news consumers defend against misdirection and protect good journalism locally and beyond.
You're Invited to a Virtual Screening of "Trusted Sources" (4PM)
You're Invited to a Virtual Screening of "Trusted Sources" (4PM)
Join us on Tuesday, September 17 at 4 PM EDT, for a screening on Zoom of Don Colacino's documentary film “Trusted Sources’ followed by a Q&A with Don, led Christine Merser. In short, "Trusted Sources helps news consumers defend against misdirection and protect good journalism locally and beyond.
Register for To Kill a Mockingbird Event
Register for To Kill a Mockingbird Event
Review: Run to See "Perfect Days"
Review: Run to See "Perfect Days"
2024 Oscar Shorts
2024 Oscar Shorts
Register for Film Series with Christine Merser
Register for Film Series with Christine Merser
Barbie & the Academy Awards
Barbie & the Academy Awards
Movie Review: May December
Movie Review: May December
Film Reviews: NYAD & The Holdovers
Film Reviews: NYAD & The Holdovers
Review of 'Killers of the Flower Moon'
Review of 'Killers of the Flower Moon'
The Burial
The Burial
Lessons in Chemistry
Lessons in Chemistry
Film Review: Umberto Eco: A Library of the World
Film Review: Umberto Eco: A Library of the World
The Super Models & Flora and Son
The Super Models & Flora and Son
Talking the Morning Show, Season 3
Talking the Morning Show, Season 3
Hollister & Lalu Review The Morning Show on Apple TV+
Hollister & Lalu Review The Morning Show on Apple TV+
Film Review: Golda
Film Review: Golda
Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer
Talking the Crowded Room, the Hollywood Writer's Strike, Golda, and More
Talking the Crowded Room, the Hollywood Writer's Strike, Golda, and More
Documentary Film Review: "At The River"
Documentary Film Review: "At The River"
Series Review: Succession Finale & Fabulous Shiv
Series Review: Succession Finale & Fabulous Shiv
Special Review of The Diplomat
Special Review of The Diplomat
Talking Hollywood Remakes, a Review of Air & What We've Been Watching
Talking Hollywood Remakes, a Review of Air & What We've Been Watching
Movie Review: The Quiet Girl
Movie Review: The Quiet Girl
Movie Review: Women Talking
Movie Review: Women Talking
The Martha Mitchell Effect Documentary Review
The Martha Mitchell Effect Documentary Review
Catherine Called Birdy Review (Listen)
Catherine Called Birdy Review (Listen)
Farewell, Leslie Jordan
Farewell, Leslie Jordan
Podcast - List of Six Halloween Films
Podcast - List of Six Halloween Films
Bad Sisters Review: After the Finale
Bad Sisters Review: After the Finale
TV Series Review: AppleTV Plus's Bad Sisters (Listen)
TV Series Review: AppleTV Plus's Bad Sisters (Listen)
TV Series Review: HBO’s House of the Dragon (listen)
TV Series Review: HBO’s House of the Dragon (listen)
Series Review: The Resort
Series Review: The Resort
Review of Tim's Vermeer (2013)
Review of Tim's Vermeer (2013)
Series Review: A League of Their Own (2022) Listen
Series Review: A League of Their Own (2022) Listen
My Favorite Disney Character: Cruella de Vil
My Favorite Disney Character: Cruella de Vil
Hollister interviews Beth Levison from Storm Lake
Hollister interviews Beth Levison from Storm Lake
Series Review: The Bear (Listen)
Series Review: The Bear (Listen)
Review of Minions: The Rise of Gru by Olivia Gibbons
Review of Minions: The Rise of Gru by Olivia Gibbons
Series Review: Loot (listen)
Series Review: Loot (listen)
Cha Cha Real Smooth (listen)
Cha Cha Real Smooth (listen)
Film Review: Flag Day (Listen)
Film Review: Flag Day (Listen)
Only Murders in the Building Season 1 Review
Only Murders in the Building Season 1 Review
Film Review: Everything Everywhere all at Once (Listen)
Film Review: Everything Everywhere all at Once (Listen)
Film Review: Top Gun Maverick - Listen
Film Review: Top Gun Maverick - Listen
Film Review: The Valet
Film Review: The Valet
Borgen Review
Borgen Review
Series Review: Under the Banner of Heaven (Listen)
Series Review: Under the Banner of Heaven (Listen)
Film & Series Reviews: The Outfit & The Offer (Listen)
Film & Series Reviews: The Outfit & The Offer (Listen)
Register for James Bond Event
Register for James Bond Event
TV Series: Gaslit & The First Lady - Listen
TV Series: Gaslit & The First Lady - Listen
TV Series: Anatomy of a Scandal
TV Series: Anatomy of a Scandal
The Netflix Crash: Simmer Down
The Netflix Crash: Simmer Down
Lena Dunham's Vogue Article, "Fierce Attachments"
Lena Dunham's Vogue Article, "Fierce Attachments"
TV Series Review: Pachinko
TV Series Review: Pachinko
TV Series Review: Abbott Elementary - Listen
TV Series Review: Abbott Elementary - Listen
TV Series Review: Coda & Winning time - LISTEN
TV Series Review: Coda & Winning time - LISTEN
TV Series Review: Severance and The Dropout - LISTEN
TV Series Review: Severance and The Dropout - LISTEN
#TuesdayTrailer The Thing About Pam
#TuesdayTrailer The Thing About Pam
Screen Thoughts #ScreenClub - Yellowjackets
Screen Thoughts #ScreenClub - Yellowjackets
Movie Review: The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Movie Review: The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Movie Review by Andrew Singer – Ascension
Movie Review by Andrew Singer – Ascension
The Tinder Swindler, Nightmare Alley, and Inventing Anna - LISTEN
The Tinder Swindler, Nightmare Alley, and Inventing Anna - LISTEN
The Tinder Swindler, Nightmare Alley, and Inventing Anna - WATCH
The Tinder Swindler, Nightmare Alley, and Inventing Anna - WATCH
Sign Up for #ScreenClub - Yellowjackets - March 2nd, 7EST
Sign Up for #ScreenClub - Yellowjackets - March 2nd, 7EST
TV Series Review: Pam and Tommy
TV Series Review: Pam and Tommy
TV Series Review: The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Woman in the Window
TV Series Review: The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Woman in the Window
Podcast with Dr. Thomas Kerenyi, One of the Groundbreaking OBGYN's on Abortions in the '70s
Podcast with Dr. Thomas Kerenyi, One of the Groundbreaking OBGYN's on Abortions in the '70s
Screen Thoughts #ScreenClub Recording - Yellowstone
Screen Thoughts #ScreenClub Recording - Yellowstone
Movie Review: Call Jane from Sundance 2022
Movie Review: Call Jane from Sundance 2022
TV Series Review: Cheer Season 2
TV Series Review: Cheer Season 2
TV Series Review: The Gilded Age
TV Series Review: The Gilded Age
Series Review Short: Somebody Somewhere
Series Review Short: Somebody Somewhere
Screen Thoughts Screen Club - Yellowstone, February 2nd, 7PM EST
Screen Thoughts Screen Club - Yellowstone, February 2nd, 7PM EST
TV Series Review: And Just Like That, Pivoting, & Emily in Paris
TV Series Review: And Just Like That, Pivoting, & Emily in Paris
Movie Review: The Lost Daughter
Movie Review: The Lost Daughter
Movie Review: Don’t Look Up & Being the Ricardos
Movie Review: Don’t Look Up & Being the Ricardos
Movie Review: King Richard & Tick, Tick...Boom!
Movie Review: King Richard & Tick, Tick...Boom!
Editing Scorsese // Thelma Schoonmaker
Editing Scorsese // Thelma Schoonmaker
Movie Review: The Harder They Fall
Movie Review: The Harder They Fall
Movie Review: Dune
Movie Review: Dune
"Being the Ricardos" Movie Trailer
"Being the Ricardos" Movie Trailer
Learn More About Limitless Ventures - Sponsor of Roadrunner Podcast
Learn More About Limitless Ventures - Sponsor of Roadrunner Podcast
Documentary Movie Review: Roadrunner
Documentary Movie Review: Roadrunner
TV Show Review: Dopesick
TV Show Review: Dopesick
Impeachment: American Crime Story, Episode 6
Impeachment: American Crime Story, Episode 6
Director Interview: Hollister interviews Beth Levison from Storm Lake
Director Interview: Hollister interviews Beth Levison from Storm Lake
Scenes from a Marriage
Scenes from a Marriage
TV Show Review: Impeachment: American Crime Story
TV Show Review: Impeachment: American Crime Story
Movie Review: Cinderella
Movie Review: Cinderella
Movie Review: Worth
Movie Review: Worth
TV Show Review: The White Lotus
TV Show Review: The White Lotus
TV Show Review: Dr. Death
TV Show Review: Dr. Death
Guest Movie Review: Andrew Singer on Behind the Strings
Guest Movie Review: Andrew Singer on Behind the Strings
TV Show Revew: Physical
TV Show Revew: Physical
Amanda Knox Editorial
Amanda Knox Editorial
TV Show Review: Ted Lasso
TV Show Review: Ted Lasso
Movie Review: Black Widow & A Look at the Emmy Nominations
Movie Review: Black Widow & A Look at the Emmy Nominations
Movie Review: No Sudden Move
Movie Review: No Sudden Move
Movie Review: Cruella
Movie Review: Cruella
Movie Review: In the Heights
Movie Review: In the Heights
TV Show Review: The Handmaid's Tale, Season Four
TV Show Review: The Handmaid's Tale, Season Four
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