

The Extra Credits
Kelsi and Trey
The Extra Credits is hosted by two teachers searching for meaning in your favorite movies and shows. We cover new releases with movie drafts, ranking games, interviews, and more!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 21, 2024 • 13min
The Denzel Washington Project in 'Training Day' | Patreon #43
Kelsi and Trey dive into the chaotic world of Training Day, the 2001 crime thriller that earned Denzel Washington his only Best Actor Academy Award. They explore Washington's portrayal of Detective Alonzo Harris, a cartoonish villain elevated by Washington's charisma and command. We also explore Washington's career, highlighting his versatility across his very-different eras, examining how Training Day fits into his filmography. While Training Day is a propulsive movie, and Washington is undeniably compelling, we also touch on why this film has a complicated legacy for a variety of reasons.
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Dec 14, 2024 • 11min
Julia Roberts Reclaims Julia Roberts in 'Notting Hill' | Patreon #42
Kelsi and Trey explore the world of one of our favorite romantic comedies Notting Hill. This 1999 rom-com gem pairs the awkward charm of Hugh Grant with one-and-only Julia Roberts. We discuss their careers, the rom-com king Richard Curtis, and the meta commentary that Trey thinks makes Notting Hill one of the most interesting Hollywood cultural artifacts ever made.
The Extra Credits YouTube Channel
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
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Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Dec 3, 2024 • 40min
'We Live in Time' Survives with Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield
Kelsi and Trey dive into We Live in Time, a conventional romantic drama starring the incredible Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. We unpack the film’s exploration of love, loss, and the passage of time, and discuss how it uses the formulaic genre to its advantage. We talk about the chemistry of Pugh and Garfield, analyze the film’s narrative flaws, and dig into its non-linear storytelling, including its meditative take on memory and connection. Plus, some extra stuff on Andrew Garfield ;)
The Extra Credits YouTube Channel
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
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Reddit: r/TheExtraCredits
Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Dec 1, 2024 • 48min
'The Substance' Satirizes the Male Gaze as a Maximalist Allegory
VIDEO DROPS TOMORROW. Kelsi and Trey deep dive into The Substance, a maximalist allegory that satirizes the media's obsession with women's bodies. With Demi Moore delivering a brilliant meta-performance, the film navigates the dark undercurrents of media exploitation and the commodification of women. We unpack the movie’s subversive use of the male gaze, its critique of beauty standards, and the divisive discourse reminiscent to Scorsese's Wolf of Wall Street--both being films that indulge in the very spectacle they are critiquing.
The Extra Credits YouTube Channel
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
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Reddit: r/TheExtraCredits
Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Nov 25, 2024 • 12min
Charlotte Wells' 'Aftersun' | Patreon #41
Kelsi and Trey explore Charlotte Wells' stunning debut film, Aftersun. Through heartfelt analysis and thoughtful discussion, we explore the film’s mediative portrayal of memory and loss, examining the nuanced performances of Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio, the layers of emotional depth in the screenplay, and the themes of familial bonds, identity struggles, and unresolved grief.
The Extra Credits YouTube Channel
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
Letterboxd: The Extra Credits
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Reddit: r/TheExtraCredits
Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Nov 24, 2024 • 6min
'Rosemary's Baby' (1968) | Patreon #40
Kelsi and Trey dive deep into the 1968 classic Rosemary’s Baby, a landmark in horror cinema and cultural commentary. We explore the film’s themes of gaslighting, autonomy, and betrayal, unpacking how it critiques societal control over women’s bodies. From Mia Farrow's haunting portrayal of Rosemary to the chilling dynamics of the Castevets and Guy's (John Cassavetes) devastating betrayal, we analyze how the film’s psychological horror transcends the genre to deliver a biting social critique. They also discuss the controversial legacy of Roman Polanski as a filmmaker and the enduring relevance of Rosemary’s Baby in today's conversations about autonomy, power, and oppression; specifically unpacking the interpretations of Rosemary's Baby as a feminist text, versus the actual intentions of the author and filmmakers.
The Extra Credits YouTube Channel
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
Letterboxd: The Extra Credits
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Reddit: r/TheExtraCredits
Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Nov 21, 2024 • 1h 5min
The Ridley Scott Project with Sean Fennessey
Kelsi and Trey are joined by The Ringer's Sean Fennessey of The Big Picture podcast to dive into the career of Ridley Scott, one of cinema’s most prolific and visionary directors. With Gladiator II releasing wide this week, we revisit Scott’s genre-defining works—Alien, Blade Runner, Prometheus, among others—and explore his ability to transform blockbuster IP into ambitious epics. We discuss whether Scott belongs in the same tier as greats like Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, his reputation for “style over substance,” the impact of his controversial Alien prequels, and the modern filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve who’ve carried his influence forward.
The Extra Credits YouTube Channel
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
Letterboxd: The Extra Credits
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Reddit: r/TheExtraCredits
Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Nov 18, 2024 • 56min
Sean Baker's 'Anora' is Powerfully Messy
Kelsi and Trey discuss Sean Baker’s Anora, a tonally ambitious American tragedy with a thinly written lead character study--a near-masterpiece thanks to Baker's direction and Mikey Madison's star performance. We unpack Baker’s raw, unflinching portrayal of life on the margins, his signature empathy, and how Anora compares to his earlier works like The Florida Project and Tangerine. They grapple with the film’s uneven narrative and pacing, discuss its authentic performances, and debate whether its character and tonal messiness is a reflection of its themes or its storytelling. Regardless, this is one of the best films of 2024!
The Extra Credits YouTube Channel
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
Letterboxd: The Extra Credits
TikTok: The Extra Credits
Reddit: r/TheExtraCredits
Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Nov 11, 2024 • 48min
Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator II' is a Denzel Washington Spectacle
Kelsi and Trey dive into Gladiator II with a non-spoiler review of Ridley Scott’s epic return to ancient Rome (00:00-11:44). They discuss how this ambitious sequel stacks up against the iconic original, specifically examining Scott's vision at 87 years old and how his signature style evolves with the film’s massive scale and complex characters. From Paul Mescal’s new take on the reluctant hero to Denzel Washington’s magnetic and morally intricate role, we’ll unpack the movie’s layered political themes, stunning set pieces—including an unforgettable naval Colosseum battle—and Scott's inventive twists on historical fiction (11:45-40:25).
The Extra Credits YouTube Channel
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
Letterboxd: The Extra Credits
TikTok: The Extra Credits
Reddit: r/TheExtraCredits
Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com

Nov 9, 2024 • 20min
Ari Aster's 'Hereditary' with James Steck | Patreon #39
Kelsi and Trey are joined by friend James Steck to dive into Ari Aster’s Hereditary, a chilling exploration of family trauma, grief, and conditioned traits that has redefined modern psychological horror. They break down the story of the Graham family, led by Toni Collette’s unforgettable performance as Annie, whose descent begins with the mysterious death of her secretive mother. As supernatural forces begin to encroach on her family, Hereditary reveals the terrifying impact of generational trauma and the loss of control over one’s own fate. We discuss the three kings of contemporary horror with Aster, Jordan Peele, and Robert Eggers, as well as Aster’s masterful direction, the film’s unsettling atmosphere, and its layered commentary on family, legacy, and mental illness.
Follow James on Letterboxd here
Become a member of The Extra Credits+ on Patreon here
How to link Patreon to Spotify and Apple
Letterboxd: The Extra Credits
TikTok: The Extra Credits
Reddit: r/TheExtraCredits
Instagram: @theextracredits
Twitter: @theextracredits
Send requests, questions, and thoughts to our email: extracreditspod@gmail.com


