Does Voice-Over Kill the Killer?

Does Voice-Over Kill the Killer?

Author: Slate Podcasts November 8, 2023 Duration: 53:38

This week, the panel is joined first by Isaac Butler, co-host of Slate’s Working podcast and author of The Method: How the Twentieth Century Learned to Act, to debate the merits of David Fincher’s The Killer and whether the director’s latest “thriller” (which stars Michael Fassbender) is a masterful example of craft or simply a logic-free time-suck. Then, Dana, Julia, and Stephen explore the world of Letterboxd, the self-proclaimed “Goodreads of movies” that may be the only positive social media platform left. Finally, the trio is joined by Extreme Friend of the Pod Chris Molanphy to discuss his wonderful new book, Old Town Road, which considers Lil Nas X's debut single as pop artifact, chart phenomenon, and cultural watershed.


In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, the panel asks: what’s the deal with long movies? Are today’s films getting longer or is it just a figment of our imagination


Email us at culturefest@slate.com


Endorsements:


Dana: A hometown endorsement of Slate’s excellent coverage of the Sam Bankman-Fried trial, specifically a piece by Nitish Pahwa entitled “The Days the Chips Fell,” which chronicles what Pahwa witnessed in the courtroom the day Bankman-Fried was found guilty.


Julia: The Last Waltz, Martin Scorsese’s iconic 1978 concert documentary that captures the Band’s legendary farewell performance in San Francisco. It depicts a very specific image of the male rockstar era, highlighting both the vanity and vulnerability of its stars. Dana also wrote about The Last Waltz for Slate in 2012! 


Stephen: Taken by the retro-feel of The Holdovers’ trailer, Stephen endorses the song featured in it, “Silver Joy” by Damien Jurado. 


Outro music: “Go Slow” by Daniel Fridell


Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Kat Hong. 


If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows. You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on the Culture Gabfest. Sign up now at Slate.com/cultureplus to help support our work.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each week, the lively and insightful critics of Culture Gabfest gather to dissect what’s happening across the cultural landscape. Hosted by Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner, the conversation flows effortlessly from the latest film releases and television phenomena to books, music, and broader artistic debates, blending highbrow analysis with genuine pop enthusiasm. Their dynamic is less a formal review and more like eavesdropping on a brilliant, sometimes heated, coffee chat between friends who happen to be experts. You’ll hear them grapple with the nuances of a challenging new series, champion an overlooked artist, or passionately disagree about a blockbuster’s merits, all with a sharp wit and deep knowledge that clarifies your own thinking. This Slate Podcasts production has become an essential weekly ritual for many, praised by voices like New York Times critic Dwight Garner for its consistent intelligence and engaging rapport. For those who can’t get enough, a Slate Plus subscription offers ad-free listening and additional bonus segments, extending the discussion even further. Tuning into this podcast feels like getting a curated, conversational briefing on everything that matters in arts and entertainment, delivered with a personal touch that reminds you why culture is worth talking about in the first place.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 862

Culture Gabfest
Podcast Episodes
Slate: The Culture Gabfest, Ooh La La Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:26
In this week's Culture Gabfest, our critics Stephen Metcalf, Jody Rosen, Dana Stevens and Julia Turner discuss David Simon's latest HBO endeavor Treme, the loss of British punk rocker Malcolm McLaren and the comic musing…
Slate: The Culture Gabfest, I Want to Touch the Machine Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:52
In this week's Culture Gabfest, our critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, Seth Stevenson and Julia Turner discuss Seth Stevenson's new travel book "Grounded", creating your own TV ad with a little help from Google and A…
Slate: The Culture Gabfest, Shake Your Bon-Bon Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:00
In this week's Culture Gabfest, our critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, June Thomas and Julia Turner discuss the new CBS television show Undercover Boss, the language of coming out when your a celebrity and the websit…
Slate: The Culture Gabfest, Number One Record Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:52
In this week's Culture Gabfest, our critics Mike Pesca, Jody Rosen, Dana Stevens and Julia Turner discus the death of Big Star front man Alex Chilton, music criticism is it worthless and replacing William Safire at The N…
Slate: The Culture Gabfest, Busby Berkeley Dreams Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:48
In this week's Culture Gabfest, our critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens and Julia Turner discuss the Oscars, finding your way through New York's Penn Station and whether The National Enquirer should be eligible for a P…
Slate: The Culture Gabfest, Warbly Strangly Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:45
In this week's Culture Gabfest, our critics Stephen Metcalf, Jody Rosen, Dana Stevens and Julia Turner discuss the singer song-writer Joanna Newsom, the new NBC show "The Marriage Ref" and ten rules for writing fiction.…
Slate: The Culture Gabfest, Meet the Crotchman Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:39
In this week's Culture Gabfest, our critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens and Julia Turner discuss this Esquire profile of film critic Roger Ebert, the new animated HBO incarnation of The Ricky Gervias Show, and ChatRoul…
Slate: The Culture Gabfest: We're Saving Our Own Lives Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:47
In this week's Culture Gabfest, our critics Stephen Metcalf, Jody Rosen, Dana Stevens and Julia Turner discuss "We Are the World" take two, singer-songwriter John Mayer's disturbing Playboy Interview and the start of the…
Slate: The Culture Gabfest: We Have No Pants Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:14
In this week's Culture Gabfest, our critics Stephen Metcalf, Seth Stevenson, Julia Turner and Dana Stevens discuss this years crop of Super Bowl ads, the HBO Temple Grandin biopic and The New York Times story on a killer…