Dana Stevens

This past year was a flop. From questionable blockbuster reboots to supply chain shenanigans to worst of all, omnipresent COVID variants. But, in a last ditch effort to flip the flop, we at Radiolab have dredged up the most mortifying, most cringeworthy, most gravity-defying flops we could find. From flops at a community pool to flops at the White House, from a flop that derails a career to flops that give NBA players a sneaky edge, from flops that’ll send you seeking medical advice to THE flopped flop that in a way enabled us all. Take a break from all the disappointment and flop around with us. Special Thanks to: Kaitlin Murphy, Dana Stevens, David Novak, Pablo Pinero Stillman Support Radiolab by becoming a member today at Radiolab.org/donate. 

Dana Stevens, Slate's chief movie critic and co-host of Culture Gabfest, dives into the cinematic landscape of 2025. She shares her top picks, highlighting the complex narratives of 'Sinners' and 'One Battle After Another.' Stevens explores how 'Sinners' intertwines vampires with Jim Crow history, offering a musical meditation on cultural roots. Meanwhile, she examines 'One Battle After Another' as a prescient adaptation that melds genre and revolutionary themes. Stevens aims for big-studio risks, finding hope in ambitious storytelling.

Dana Stevens, a distinguished film critic and writer for Slate, joins the conversation to explore David Lynch’s poignant film, The Straight Story. They delve into the surprising emotional depth of Lynch’s work and the mesmerizing career of Richard Farnsworth. Expect discussions about Americana, unexpected character portrayals, and the charm of old theaters. Additionally, they share personal anecdotes about their cinematic experiences and reflect on the film’s unconventional storytelling methods, contrasting heartfelt moments with humor throughout the journey.