Water Cooler: The Front Room, The Traitors, Industry, English Teacher, and More
Sep 11, 2024
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The hosts share nostalgic stories from a University of Florida football game and discuss Stephen King's latest novel, 'Fairy Tale.' They dive into the comedic elements of 'English Teacher' and the intense world of 'Industry,' while critiquing recent movie flops like 'Afraid' and 'The Crow.' The conversation shifts to Blake Crouch's 'Dark Matter,' exploring its adaptation for Apple TV+. They also dissect the unique flavors of the US and UK versions of 'The Traitors,' highlighting cultural impacts and the evolution of reality competition shows.
The speaker’s nostalgic return to the University of Florida football game emphasizes the emotional connections and memories tied to cultural events.
A comparison of the American and UK versions of 'The Traitors' highlights the show's versatility and differing audience engagement through various tones.
Deep dives
A Nostalgic Return to College Football
The speaker shares a personal experience of returning to the University of Florida for a college football game after 13 years. This visit was significant because it allowed him to reconnect with old college friends and relive cherished memories. He reflects on the changes at the university, noting some upgrades to the stadium and campus facilities, yet he finds that the overall atmosphere feels familiar. The experience reignites his appreciation for college football and emphasizes the value of participating in these cultural events.
Stephen King's 'Fairy Tale' and Literary Goals
The speaker discusses his journey of reading Stephen King's works and his attempts to catch up with the prolific author's extensive bibliography. Currently nearing the end of 'Fairy Tale,' he highlights the novel's unique blend of fantasy and horror, focusing on a teenager's relationship with an older man and the fantastical realms that follow. He appreciates King's evolution as a writer, noting the contrast between King's earlier works, marked by personal turmoil, and his more recent, polished storytelling. The discussion also includes potential film adaptations, hinting at a dynamic, yet dark fantasy interpretation.
Reality TV's Competitive Landscape
The speaker offers an overview of two versions of the reality show 'The Traitors,' highlighting the differences between the American and UK adaptations. The American version features reality TV veterans and embraces high camp, while the UK counterpart involves regular individuals competing for a cash prize, resulting in different tones and dynamics. The host, Alan Cumming, is praised for his theatrical presence in the American version, contributing to its entertainment value. This duality showcases the show's versatility and ability to captivate audiences with contrasting styles.
Exploring the Writer's Journey and Adaptations
The discussion delves into the adaptation of Blake Crouch's 'Dark Matter' series, with the speaker favoring the TV show over the original novel. The series expands upon character arcs, particularly focusing on the antagonist and enhancing their narrative, which was less developed in the book. As the speaker reflects on the differences observed in the first few episodes, he remains critical of certain choices while acknowledging the show’s ambition. The positive reception of the adaptation highlights the ongoing evolution of storytelling across different mediums.
On the September 11, 2024 episode of /Film Daily, /Film editor Ben Pearson is joined by /Film editor Jacob Hall to gather around the virtual water cooler and talk about what they’ve been up to.
In the Water Cooler:
What we’ve been Doing:
Ben went to a University of Florida football game for the first time in 13 years.
What we’ve been Reading:
Jacob read Fairy Tale by Stephen King.
What we’ve been Watching:
Ben finished Girls5Eva, watched the first two episodes of English Teacher, and watched season 1 of Industry.
Jacob watched Afraid, The Crow, The Front Room, Dark Matter, and both versions of The Traitors.
All the other stuff you need to know:
You can find more about all the stories we mentioned on today’s show at slashfilm.com, and linked inside the show notes.
/Film Daily is published every weekday, bringing you the most exciting news from the world of movies and TV as well as deeper dives into the great features from slashfilm.com.
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