Shows / Tasteless
Tasteless
A movie podcast that compares the critically acclaimed to the criminally overlooked. Tasteless pays tribute to the films not enough people are talking about, from the underrated to the absurd. In each episode, Emily Higgins takes a highly regarded film and compares it to movie she believes has the same themes. The bonus series called Strong Female Leads features interviews with the actresses and creators who have inspired this podcast with their work, both on-screen and off.
Episodes
TastelessI'll Stand By You: Dirty Dancing vs D.E.B.S.
In honor of Gay Pride Month, we've got 2 movies about couples that expand each other's world views, have ridiculous chemistry, and of course fall in love…
TastelessNo Place Like Home: Hell or High Water vs The Brady Bunch Movie
This episode features 2 families on a quest to save their childhood home from the evils of a modern world in which they feel out of place — it's Hell or High…
TastelessDirty Tricks: The Usual Suspects vs Wild Things: Foursome
I'm talking about 2 whodunit movies that are full of twists, crime, and plenty of misdirection — it's The Usual Suspects vs Wild Things: Foursome.
TastelessHuman Behaviour: Blade Runner 2049 vs Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
It's the longest Tasteless ever as I break down two sci-fi action movies that explore what makes us human with stony-faced protagonists on a quest to discover…
TastelessMore Than Meets the Eye: The Wolf of Wall Street vs Starship Troopers
Tasteless gets extra analytical in this week's episode about 2 satires tearing down the machinations that enslave our society while highlighting protagonists…
TastelessSmells Like Teen Spirit: Dazed and Confused vs Wet Hot American Summer
This week, 2 movies featuring big casts that are growing up and figuring out who they want to be during those bittersweet teenage experiences that feel so very…
TastelessStar Power: Almost Famous vs Josie and the Pussycats
This week, Tasteless covers 2 movies about music, both the commercial side and the true joy of it, as experienced by outsiders — it's Almost Famous vs Josie…
TastelessChip Off the Old Block: The Godfather Part II vs Mamma Mia 2 Here We Go Again
This week's face-off features two sequels that explore the parallels between a parent and child and that show family is what you make it — it's The Godfather…
TastelessFollow the Leader: Office Space vs The House Bunny
Our very motivational episode this week features two people at the lowest points in their lives who turn things around for themselves by rallying groups that…
TastelessI Get You Babe: Lost in Translation vs The House of Yes
We're exploring our feelings this week with 2 melancholy but darkly funny films that follow a pair of people who feel lost and disconnected from the world and…
TastelessShow Stopper: Inglourious Basterds vs Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
This match-up features 2 movies where a rag tag crew set out to ruin a movie and run into a lot of mishaps and other people's agendas along the way — it's…
TastelessIn It to Win It: Rocky vs Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
I'm dipping my toe into the world of sports this week as I cover 2 movies where an underdog must compete against the best in his field after some unorthodox…
TastelessGlory Days: Guardians of the Galaxy vs Captain Marvel
This week we have 2 emotionally stunted super heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe who like flannel and leather jackets and whose films are fully taking…
TastelessThe Odd Couple: Pretty in Pink vs Mannequin
I'm diving into the '80s with 2 movies that feature love between people from different worlds, their flamboyant third wheel, and why fitting in is overrated —…
TastelessAt Any Cost: There Will Be Blood vs Death Becomes Her
I'm digging into an Oscar darling and a cult classic this week, covering 2 movies where the main characters lose their humanity as they ruthlessly work towards…
TastelessGifted: The Sixth Sense vs Matilda
I've got the perfect kid's double header this week: two movies featuring children with special abilities who learn to understand them with the help of a nice…
TastelessOpposites Attract: When Harry Met Sally vs Basic Instinct
This episode features 2 movies where a pair of people tell themselves they shouldn't be together yet something keeps bringing them back together, 2 movies that…
TastelessHelicopter Parent: Taken vs Kidnap
This week, we're covering 2 movies about a child getting snatched by strangers and the intense divorced parent who will do anything to get them back.
TastelessInto the Wild: The Revenant vs Troop Beverly Hills
One of the most important episodes of Tasteless yet, this week I'm discussing 2 movies about the wilderness, justice, and a parent trying to do right by their…
TastelessTurn Back Time: Back to the Future vs Pleasantville
Dive into the 1950s with 2 movies about traveling back through time and space to a town that's stuck in the past — it's Back to the Future vs Pleasantville.
TastelessSwan Song: Moulin Rouge vs Reefer Madness the Movie Musical
A comparison of 2 unconventional romantic musicals with sad plots, lots of laughs, and plenty of fantasy — it's Moulin Rouge vs Reefer Madness: The Movie…
TastelessDream Team: Pulp Fiction vs Charlie's Angels
We've reached the 50th episode of Tasteless! To honor this momentous occasion, I'm discussing 2 movies about a rock solid team that becomes involved with a…
TastelessThe Fifth Sense: A Quiet Place vs Bird Box
In a battle of the senses I break down why A Quiet Place is an inferior horror movie to Bird Box, a film that just so happens to star my all time #1 favorite…
TastelessParty Animals: Paddington vs Scooby-Doo
I'm kicking off 2019 discussing 2 movies that feature beloved fictional characters brought into the real world with the magic of CGI — it's Paddington vs…
TastelessIncognito Mode: Die Hard vs Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Two quirky unorthodox detectives are pitted against villains that are masquerading as something they're not in order to succeed in their criminal endeavors —…
TastelessBad Seed: A Christmas Story vs The Good Son
In honor of the holiday season, I talk about two terrible little blonde boys on a single-minded quest to get what they want no matter who or what gets in their…
TastelessAncient History: Jurassic Park vs The Mummy (1999)
When it comes to people going too far in their pursuit of knowledge (and money), leading to ancient predators being unleashed upon the world that they need to…
TastelessSomebody to Love: (500) Days of Summer vs Tiptoes
This week's comparison features 2 unexpected and quirky love stories that don't follow the typical Hollywood formula — it's (500) Days of Summer vs Tiptoes. I…
TastelessIn Too Deep: The Big Lebowski vs Zoolander
I'm coming for The Dude sympathizers in this week's episode about movies featuring a hapless bystander who becomes embroiled in someone else's evil plots —…
TastelessAll in the Family: August: Osage County vs Home for the Holidays
Instead of fighting with someone in your own family, watch fake families fight each other for your entertainment this holiday season! I get into the highly…
TastelessMay-December: The Graduate vs Adore
This week's episode features two movies focusing on a May-December romance with hot older ladies and whiny young boys — it's The Graduate vs Adore. I have a…
TastelessThe Nice Guys: Forrest Gump vs Blast from the Past
This week, I'm talking about 2 movies featuring a kind but naive protagonist who sails through life without a care in the world as absolutely absurd things…
TastelessToil and Trouble: Hocus Pocus vs Halloweentown
In honor of Halloween, I'm talking about two groups of PG Disney witches — it's Hocus Pocus vs Halloweentown. I'm hoping all the Halloweentown fans come out of…
Tasteless16 and Pregnant: Juno vs Saved!
These two comedies about pregnant teenagers share a few key elements but have much less in common than you might expect. Juno is almost saccharine in its…
TastelessPrice of Fame: A Star is Born vs Country Strong
Enjoy my rageful comparison of 2 movies about aging country singers with substance abuse problems, the hot young star they take under their wing, and the price…
TastelessPeer Pressure: A Clockwork Orange vs The Stepford Wives
This week's comparison features two movies that reflect on the state of society and free will - it's A Clockwork Orange vs The Stepford Wives (2004). Stanley…
TastelessWomen Scorned: Fatal Attraction vs Obsessed
I have watched many an erotic thriller in my day, so I thought it fitting we talk about one of the first versus one of the best — it's Fatal Attraction vs…
TastelessPuppet Masters: Ferris Bueller's Day Off vs Cruel Intentions
I LOVE CRUEL INTENTIONS. I had to get that out there first. I love it so much. This episode of Tasteless focuses on high school megalomaniacs who manipulate…
TastelessIn Cold Blood: Zodiac vs Copycat
We are fascinated by serial killers, some to an unhealthy degree. Of course they've crept into our media, and so I'm pitting a crime drama about one of the…
TastelessFamily Matters: Mrs. Doubtfire vs Striptease
Two movies that are shockingly similar in their theme of parents willing to go to any lengths for their children are Mrs. Doubtfire and Striptease. Spoiler…
TastelessOut of this World: E.T. vs Earth Girls Are Easy
Today we dig into one of the biggest disagreements among all humans: what do aliens look like?! Are they grey with big eyes? Are they super hotties? E.T. the…
TastelessTomb Raiders: Indiana Jones vs Lara Croft
It's the showdown we've all been waiting for — two movies that feature people who should really wear gloves when they go to work and stop getting their finger…
TastelessWack Pack: The Grand Budapest Hotel vs Butter
The Grand Budapest Hotel and Butter both feature a bunch of weirdos with passions they excel at and children that are not annoying, a real feat for any movie…
TastelessGlow Up: Easy A vs The Princess Diaries
Easy A and The Princess Diaries are two coming-of-age movies about young women in high school who get makeovers, stop being invisible, and have to figure out…
TastelessMake a Killing: Gone Girl vs Wild Things
Here are two movies where women have complicated crime schemes and the viewer goes on a real crazy ride - it's Gone Girl vs Wild Things. In this episode, I…
TastelessFear Factor: The Cabin in the Woods vs The Final Girls
The Cabin in the Woods and The Final Girls are trailblazers in the world of horror, both very unique takes on the genre that play with scary movie tropes but…
TastelessGirl Power: Bridesmaids vs Spice World
If you asked anyone to name a comedy about a group of women, girl power, and friendship, 9 out of 10 times they would say Bridesmaids. As the tenth and most…
TastelessMental Gymnastics: Silver Linings Playbook vs The Skeleton Twins
I compare two dramedies about mental illness - one is a beautiful movie with an incredible cast that deserved a million Oscars and the other is a movie called…
TastelessLove is Blind: The Shape of Water vs Shallow Hal
In one of my most important comparisons, I discuss forbidden love and ignoring society's judgments in The Shape of Water and Shallow Hal. The Shape of Water is…
TastelessYoung at Heart: Big vs 13 Going on 30
This week delves into two cautionary tales about being careful what you wish for as precocious kids wish to be adults in Big and 13 Going on 30. Jennifer…
TastelessSquad Goals: Fight Club vs Coyote Ugly
This week's movies are both about a shy, down on their luck person who finds an inner strength within a group of like-minded individuals and comes out of their…
TastelessMeddling Kids: The Goonies vs BMX Bandits
Quentin Tarantino said, "If we'd grown up in Australia, BMX Bandits would have been our Goonies" and I'm inclined to agree. Find out how these two movies about…
TastelessSmooth Criminals: Ocean's Eleven vs Ocean's 8
Ocean's 8 is everything I could have ever wanted in a film. It's a perfect expansion of Ocean's Eleven and the Ocean's Universe (which I believe will one day…
TastelessTeenage Dream: Heathers vs Jawbreaker
High school has never been as deliciously evil as in Heathers and Jawbreaker, but I'd pick the ladies of Jawbreaker to rule my school any day of the week.
TastelessHome Sweet Home: Home Alone vs Breaking In
Two very different tales of home invasion: lighthearted bumbling robbers try to bust in on Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone and a slightly more organized team…
TastelessA Whole New World: Elf vs George of the Jungle
If I'm going to watch a man-child try to impress a girl in the big city, I prefer one in a loincloth. Everyone loses their minds over Will Ferrell in Elf but…
TastelessBody Snatchers: The Thing vs The Faculty
The Thing is a so-called classic horror film starring Goldie Hawn's husband and some other old dudes. The Faculty is a tour de force of perfect casting, clever…
TastelessAdventures in Babysitting: Leon the Professional vs Maleficent
These are two babysitters you probably won't find on Angie's List. Leon the assassin's love for milk can't keep Leon: The Professional from being a real…
TastelessKiller Instinct: Taxi Driver vs American Psycho 2
If I'm going to watch someone plot a murder, I'm bypassing creepy shaved head Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver and going right for one-liner loving Mila Kunis in…
TastelessEye of the Beholder: Little Miss Sunshine vs Drop Dead Gorgeous
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" could really sum up Tasteless as a whole. This episode, I practice my Minnesota accent, complain about children, and…