The Silver Nitrate Witches' Movie Review Brew

Potion #3: Movie Stars Are Born

Your Silver Nitrate Witches invite you to join their book coven—er, I mean, club—to learn about the birth of the concept of the movie star and how it's tied to the Old Hollywood studio system. We consult film scholar Jeanine Basinger's seminal text on the subject, The Star Machine (2007) (great read, highly recommend!). We also discuss whether or not Anne Hathaway is truly a movie star, conflicting American values, zaniness, our first grimoire/season, and... Hags! (What?! It means 'Have a Great Summer'...) You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their songs "Movie" and “Highway Moon.” You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com [http://finemotormusic.com]. Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.

Eileen (2023)

The adaptation theme continues as the Silver Nitrate Witches discuss Eileen, the 2023 movie based on the Ottessa Moshfegh novel of the same name. This episode features a guest, film critic Payton McCarty-Simas. Your Silver Nitrate Witches consider how Eileen star Anne Hathaway's career has changed over the course of two decades. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their songs "Movie" and “Highway Moon.” You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com [http://finemotormusic.com]. Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.

Armageddon Time (2022)

This week, the Silver Nitrate Witches explore the darker magic Anne Hathaway has brought out in her more recent indie films, where the actress has embraced serious and not-so-likeable roles that showcase her full range. We're talking about Armageddon Time (2022), a film set in 1980 that explores connections between that era and American racism, classism, and antisemitism today. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their songs "Movie" and “Highway Moon.” You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com [http://finemotormusic.com]. Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.

Mother Mary (2026)

Mother Mary comes to me speaking words of wisdom, and she will NOT let it be in this new movie that is as flowing and beautiful as red silk and Shakespearean poetry. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their song “Highway Moon.” You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com [http://finemotormusic.com]. Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.

Sleeping Draught #10: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026)

Have the Clackers at Runway finally grown a backbone? We’ll have to watch and see. You can find your Silver Nitrate Witches on various online platforms @ljvalenza and @bellang303. Thanks so much to Fine Motor for the use of their song “Highway Moon.” You can check out more about the band at finemotormusic.com [http://finemotormusic.com]. Thanks for listening, stay witchy, and keep watching movies.