Culture Gabfest: Wicked Triple Feature Edition

Nov 26, 2025

Join guest Dan Kois, a seasoned cultural critic, as he dives into a thrilling discussion on three captivating films. The conversation kicks off with thoughts on 'Wicked: Part Two,' exploring its unexpected dark turns and Ariana Grande's standout performance. They then shift to 'Train Dreams,' debating the challenges of adapting Denis Johnson’s novella and its striking visual style. Lastly, they reflect on 'Peter Hujar’s Day,' a deeply engaging chamber piece, highlighting Ben Whishaw’s mesmerizing performance and the film's intricate exploration of memory and portraiture.

01:00:43

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

insights

INSIGHT

Ariana Grande Carries The Film

Ariana Grande surprised critics with nuanced comic timing and vocal precision that elevate thin material.
Her performance may drive awards attention even if the film's structure undermines it.

insights

INSIGHT

Awards Strategy Matters

Awards strategy can reshape perception: campaigning Grande as supporting could improve her chances.
Part-two leading roles rarely win, so positioning matters for Oscar prospects.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Theater Energy Changes Reception

Dan described seeing Train Dreams in a theater packed with preteens enthralled by Wicked's big beats.
The communal audience response made the screening feel rewarding despite mixed critical views.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Why Wicked became two films

05:32 • 32sec

chevron_right

Setting up the Wicked fanfic universe

06:05 • 3min

chevron_right

Personal takes on the stage musical

08:47 • 3min

chevron_right

Ariana Grande's surprising performance

11:26 • 1min

chevron_right

Does part two work dramatically?

12:40 • 6min

chevron_right

Wrap on Wicked and viewing advice

Introducing Train Dreams

21:06 • 2min

chevron_right

Train Dreams clip and setup

23:11 • 1min

chevron_right

Adapting a beloved novella

24:23 • 3min

chevron_right

Visual grandeur vs. narrative intimacy

27:01 • 4min

chevron_right

Malick comparisons and pacing

31:05 • 2min

chevron_right

Faithfulness to the book's opening incident

33:06 • 4min

chevron_right

Dan on book versus film choices

36:43 • 12sec

chevron_right

Where to watch and reading recommendation

Introducing Peter Hujar's Day

39:18 • 2min

chevron_right

Clip and the chamber-piece conceit

40:54 • 1min

chevron_right

Ben Whishaw's transcendent performance

42:01 • 3min

chevron_right

Two days: memory and portraiture

45:10 • 3min

chevron_right

Listening, acting, and photographic time

Verdict: Peter Hujar's Day

55:10 • 2min

chevron_right

Endorsements from the hosts

• Mentioned in 17 episodes

Mrs. Dalloway

Virginia Woolf

Published in 1925, 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf explores the lives of its characters over a single day in post-World War I London. The novel centers around Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class housewife, as she prepares to host a party. Her day is punctuated by a visit from Peter Walsh, an old suitor, and her reflections on her past choices. The narrative also follows Septimus Warren Smith, a veteran struggling with shell shock and mental illness, whose story parallels and contrasts with Clarissa's. The novel delves into themes of time, identity, social class, and the psychological impacts of war. Woolf's stream-of-consciousness style provides a deep insight into the characters' inner lives, highlighting the complexities of human experience and the societal norms of the time.

#204

• Mentioned in 91 episodes

Ulysses

James Joyce

Ulysses is a groundbreaking and complex modernist novel that chronicles the experiences of three Dubliners over a single day. The novel is loosely based on Homer's epic poem 'The Odyssey', with Leopold Bloom paralleling Odysseus, Stephen Dedalus paralleling Telemachus, and Molly Bloom paralleling Penelope. It explores themes such as antisemitism, human sexuality, British rule in Ireland, Catholicism, and Irish nationalism. The novel is known for its innovative use of language and narrative techniques, including stream-of-consciousness and multiple literary styles. It captures the essence of early 20th-century Dublin, providing a detailed snapshot of the city's social, political, and cultural landscape.

#2982

• Mentioned in 12 episodes

Talk

Alison Wood Brooks

#65353

Matching Minds with Sondheim

• Mentioned in 9 episodes

Train Dreams

Denis Johnson

The novella follows the life of Robert Grainier, an orphan sent to Idaho in 1893. Grainier works as a laborer, building bridges and felling trees for the expanding railways. He finds happiness with his wife and daughter but faces tragedy when a wildfire changes his life forever. The story is a reflection on isolation, the closing of the American West, and the simple yet harsh life of a pioneer. It juxtaposes the sounds of trains with the natural world, creating a dream-like and elegiac portrait of Grainier's life.

#13464

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Jesus' Son

Denis Johnson

Denis Johnson's 'Jesus' Son' is a collection of short stories narrated by an unnamed heroin addict navigating life's bleak realities. The stories explore themes of addiction, redemption, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. Johnson's prose is characterized by its stark realism and lyrical beauty, creating a unique atmosphere of both despair and hope. The collection's fragmented narrative structure mirrors the narrator's fractured state of mind, while subtle references to religious imagery hint at the possibility of spiritual awakening. Despite its dark subject matter, 'Jesus' Son' offers a profound exploration of human resilience and the enduring search for connection.

Something Wicked this way comes as Dana, Steve, and guest host Dan Kois gather round their proverbial cauldrons for an all-movie edition of the Gabfest. First up, of course, is Wicked: For Good the green/pink-hued conclusion to the alternative history of Oz. This sequel, which reunites Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as witch besties/mortal enemies, goes to surprisingly dark places.

Next, they discuss Train Dreams, the contemplative and grandeur-filled adaptation of Denis Johnson’s novella directed by Clint Bentley. Finally, they sit down for a long, rich conversation between friends in Peter Hujar’s Day, a chamber piece by Ira Sachs about art, friendship, and how much can happen in a single day.

In our bonus episode for Slate Plus subscribers, Julia hops on the call to continue our recap series of Pluribus. The hosts get into all the details of Pluribus episode 5 “Got Milk.”

We’re still taking submissions for our call-in show. If you’ve got a burning cultural question or topic you’d like our hosts to tackle, call and leave us a message at: 347-201-2397

Endorsements:

Dan: Matching Minds with Sondheim by Barry Joseph, a whole book about Stephen Sondheim’s love of puzzles.

Steve: The jazz album Mal/4 by Mal Waldron Trio and Tim (Let it Bleed Edition) by the Replacements.

Dana: The Broadway production of Waiting for Godot that reunites none other than Bill and Ted with stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter.

Email us your thoughts at culturefest@slate.com.

Podcast production by Benjamin Frisch. Production assistance by Daniel Hirsch.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books