Larry Charles (Seinfeld, Borat, Curb Your Enthusiasm) stops by the trap to discuss his new docuseries,  "Dangerous World of Comedy".

Chapo Trap House

292 - Hats Off to Larry feat. Larry Charles (2/25/19)

“Science and religion fight over Hawaii's highest point,” one CNN headline puts it, “Desecrating sacred land or finding new frontiers?” BBC asks.”Science, Interrupted: Mauna Kea Observatories ‘caught in the middle,’” Pacific Business News writes. 

When tensions arise between native communities and the so-called “pursuit of science”, more often than not Western media presents these points of conflict as a symmetrical and simplistic case of “science vs. superstition.” Science is framed as a morally and politically neutral quest for truth––an objective and innovative good that will unequivocally benefit humanity. 

But Western “science”––despite its rank-and-file advocates' often best intentions–– has historically been used as the public relations vanguard of colonialism and white supremacy. A Trojan Horse presented as ideologically neutral, followed by an outpouring of exploitation, industry and the erasure of native peoples––both culturally and physically. 

While everyone can agree scientific research and progress are good things, the institution of “science” as such––from North America to Australia to Africa to Palestine-–has a long history of serving on the front lines of white, capitalist expansionism. This week we are going to discuss this history, how anti-colonial scientists are pushing back against these forces, and how we can expand human knowledge and understanding without weaponizing the enterprise to serve the interest of power.

We're joined on this episode by Nick Estes, Assistant Professor in the American Studies Department at the University of New Mexico.

                              

Ep. 90: How Western Media's False Binary Between "Science" & Indigenous Rights Erases Native People

Everyone agrees that money in politics is a problem, but in MEET THE DONORS: DOES MONEY TALK? (2016), filmmaker Alexandra (daughter of Nancy) Pelosi asks: is it really? She interviews some of the biggest political donors in America to find out why they donate and what they expect for their donations, and finds out... not a whole lot. Politics - what a concept! PLUS: we discuss the state of the left in electoral politics, and definitively identify the worst Twitter feed in the world.

Michael and Us

#164 - Mo Money Mo Problems

Rania on actual cancel culture, sleep, and makeup. https://www.patreon.com/posts/40278657

Rania Khalek talks about Beirut, why Facebook is labeling her work "Russian-State-Controlled Media," why the company she works for is suing them.

Beirut, Chuck Todd & "RUSSIAN-STATE CONTROLLED MEDIA" with Rania Khalek

Inequality.org's Sarah Anderson on the political and economic crises hitting the US Postal Service, and her recent article "USPS Needs Financial Aid to Continue Providing Essential Services" for Inequality.org, and in a Moment of Truth, Jeff Dorchen publishes the Rotten Egg Manifesto.

1218: On the US postal crisis / Sarah Anderson

We revisited Charlie Chaplin's Sadly Still Relevant® classic MODERN TIMES (1936) to ask: what are the politics of the Little Tramp... and what are the politics of his famous author? We discuss how Chaplin depicted work, class, and poverty, and the many ways that people have interpreted him. PLUS: Joe Biden as FDR (or not), and thee unholy return of Blockbuster Video.

#166 - Modern Times

Filmmaker and Twitter personality Rob Reiner looked back at the Kennedy/Johnson era through the lens of the Obama era in LBJ (2016), the story of how an idealist's vision can only be achieved by a pragmatism... and how the pragmatist's centrism may or may not have actually camouflaged an idealist the whole time. A piece of Boomer-porn, this movie is unmistakably the vision of a Joe Biden primary voter. PLUS: fiery hot thoughts on the Canadian Conservative Party leadership race, the Ed Markey/Joe Kennedy III battle, and the controversial release of TENET.

#168 - The Centrist Manifesto

We discuss the work of Nick Park, the Writer/Director behind Wallace and Gromit, and dive into THE WRONG TROUSERS, CHICKEN RUN, and CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop us a line at importantcinemaclubpodcast@gmail.com

On this week's Patreon episode, we discuss Daneil Craig's tenure as James Bond.  Become a Patreon subscriber for $5 a month and get an exclusive episode every week!

www.patreon.com/theimportantcinemaclub

#226 - The Plasticine Dreams of Nick Park

What does it mean to be "America's Critic"? What does it take to be the most powerful critic the world has ever known? Several months back we discussed "Siskel & Ebert," but now we turn our attention specifically to Roger Ebert, the Pulitzer-winner who may forever be America's best-known film critic. We watch the Ebert documentary LIFE ITSELF (2014), and ponder the movie's questionable assertion that "He did not get caught up in certain ideologies of what cinema should be." PLUS: why are liberals sending thoughts and prayers to the president?

NOTE: As a special experiment for the month of October 2020, we will be posting two episodes per week - one free, one Patreon-exclusive. Like the show and want more? Go to https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus.

Episode #152 ("Rule of Thumb" Part 1) - https://soundcloud.com/michael-and-us/152-rule-of-thumb

"Roger Ebert's Zero-Star Movies" by Will Sloan - https://hazlitt.net/feature/roger-eberts-zero-star-movies

#174 - Rule of Thumb, Part II

Some topics are too vast, too vital for us to cover on our own. Today, we address one such topic. We invited Jacobin Magazine's Meagan Day and Branko Marcetic for a roundtable discussion of Nora Ephron's YOU'VE GOT MAIL (1998), starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. We discover that this parable for gentrification may be the key to all of politics and culture in the 1990s. PLUS: thoughts on the Harris-Pence VP debate and the famous fly.

"Want to Know What a Return to 'Normal' Will Look Like? Stare Into Mike Pence's Dead Eyes" by Branko Marcetic - https://www.jacobinmag.com/2020/10/mike-pence-vp-vice-presidential-debate-trump

Michael and us

#176 - You've Got Mail: A Michael & Us Symposium (w/ Meagan Day and Branko Marcetic)

And introducing, on the ones and twos, it’s RICK RUBIN. One of the superstar producers of the last forty years, Rubin went from Long Island punk to hip-hop pioneer in the 80’s, founding Def Jam Records out of his dorm room with Russell Simmons. He’d go on to produce some of the top recording artists of his era, ranging from Beastie Boys to Neil Diamond, LL Kool J to Metallica, and co-head Columbia Records. And today we’re joined by producer Jesse Cannon to learn all about Rubin from the book “Rick Rubin in the Studio” by Jake Brown

Check out Jesse’s YouTube channel and other work here:
www.Musformation.com
www.Jessecannon.com

SONGS IN ORDER:
T La Rock & Jazzy Jay - It’s Yours
LL Cool J - I Need A Beat
Beastie Boys - Rhymin & Stealin
Public Enemy - Don’t Believe the Hype
Slayer - Raining Blood
Danzig - Mother
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Suck My Kiss
The Chicks - Lubbock of Leave It
The Chicks - Gaslighter
Lady Gaga - Dope

And Introducing

#85 RICK RUBIN! (feat. Jesse Canon)

A podcast about culture, politics, and our crumbling world. Hosted by Luke Savage and Will Sloan.

Exclusive subscriber-only episodes: https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus/overview

#168 - The Centrist Manifesto

Michael and Us

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