Slate's Culture Gabfest

In the new episode of Flashback, movie critics Dana Stevens and K. Austin Collins discuss the psychological thriller The Silence of the Lambs (1991), directed by Jonathan Demme. Flashback is available in full only to Slate Plus members. Sign up now to listen to the rest of this episode and all the others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner dive into Honeyland, Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov’s Academy Award-nominated documentary following a beekeeper in Macedonia. Next, they chat about Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time. Finally, Slate’s Laura Miller joins the panel to discuss Jia Tolentino’s Trick Mirror and the role—and critiques—of the modern female essayist. On the Slate Plus segment this week, the panel discusses Oscar nominations.   Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Production assistance by Rachael Allen. Outro Music: The Futureheads’ cover of Kate Bush’s “Hounds of Love.” Hosts Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner Endorsements Dana:  Jia Tolentino’s Trick Mirror audiobook.  Julia:  Jenny Odell’s How to Do Nothing.  Steve:  Ian Rankin’s “Inspector Rebus” book series. The Futureheads’ cover of Kate Bush’s “Hounds of Love.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and June Thomas discuss Sam Mendes' film 1917, the new installment in the UP documentary series, 63 UP, and the British royal phenomenon that has become known as Megxit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Flashback is usually available only to Slate Plus members. Sign up now to listen to the archive and future episodes, including the next edition on Silence of the Lambs. In the new episode of Flashback, movie critics Dana Stevens and Kameron Collins discuss the divorce drama Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), directed by Robert Benton. Production by Chau Tu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Sam Adams is joined by Benjamin Frisch, Rachelle Hampton and Daniel Schroeder to discuss The Witcher, Netflix’s popular new show about a monster hunter. This show isn’t the first adaptation from Andrzej Sapkowski’s work; video games based on The Witcher have been released starting in 2007. Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) is a monster hunter with supernatural powers. But, what exactly is a witcher? How will the Law of Surprise bring people together? Will Geralt ever find the girl in the forest who he is destined to find? And what kind of transformation comes at the cost of removing one’s womb?  You can also check out past Spoiler Specials, and you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Hosts Sam Adams is a Slate senior editor and the editor of Slate’s culture blog, Brow Beat. Benjamin Frisch is the producer of Slate's Culture Gabfest and the author of the graphic novel The Fun Family. Rachelle Hampton is a Slate editorial assistant. Daniel Schroeder is a Slate podcast producer and freelance writer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices