Michael and Us

Eight years after the start of the Great Recession, and mere months before a certain New York real estate mogul ascended to the presidency, several of Hollywood's most elite liberals made a cinematic response to the financial crisis. We discuss Jodie Foster's MONEY MONSTER (2016), starring George Clooney as Jim Cramer. PLUS: Can monoculture be declining when all of culture is centralized? We ponder this question.

Check out the Michael & Us website and episode guide - https://michael-and-us.com/

Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://patreon.com/michaelandus

We continue our patriotic streak by finally tackling one of the true Canadian cultural institutions of our childhoods. In the days of the monoculture, they defined Canadian political satire. And to many, they were a little bit lame. But today we ask: can we reclaim THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FARCE? PLUS: What is "imperialist realism"?

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus/posts/746-chicken-170944703

With Luke returning from a week in the Algonquin wilderness, we discuss another great Canadian outdoorsman, Troy Hurtubise. We discuss the cult documentary PROJECT GRIZZLY (1996), about one man's quixotic journey to create a big metal suit that withstand a bear attack. PLUS: On the right-of-centre politics of the reigning Canadian Liberal government, and a scene report from the Toronto International Film Festival.

Watch Project Grizzly online - https://www.nfb.ca/film/project_grizzly/

Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://patreon.com/michaelandus

Check out the official Michael & Us website and episode guide - https://michael-and-us.com/

Shortly before he was unceremoniously cancelled, Morgan Spurlock (y'all remember him?) directed a documentary about the legendary Simpsons episode "Homer at the Bat." Sort of. We discuss SPRINGFIELD OF DREAMS: THE LEGEND OF HOMER SIMPSON (2017). PLUS: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times in popular cinema - and our financial system is to blame.

Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://patreon.com/michaelandus

Check out our official website and episode guide - https://michael-and-us.com/

"Why Netflix Only Champions Crap" by Coleman Spilde - https://www.salon.com/2026/09/02/why-netflix-only-champions-crap-like-the-whisper-man-the-last-house/

Watch SPRINGFIELD OF DREAMS if you dare - https://vimeo.com/1131490789

We mark the quarter-century anniversary of 9/11 by watching the Adam Sandler film REIGN OVER ME (2007), a movie that proves that there's nothing Hollywood can't turn into grist for the mill. PLUS: Thoughts on the legacy of the late Gloria Steinem.

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus/posts/743-they-covet-169479427