Invalid Culture

Holiday Special (2024)

Rather than torture everyone with terrible movies, this holiday season our 2024 guests have offered up some good film recommendations for you to enjoy.

A list of the recommended films, and the episode's transcript, can be found (as always) at invalidculture.com

FDR: American Badass (2012) - Part 2

Jeff, sar and Beth are back from part 2 of FDR: American Badass. This episode we dig down into the plot of the film, considering the raunchy humour and (possible) historical anachronisms. Tune in and find out where this parody flick falls on the Invalid Culture scale!

As always, transcripts can be found at invalidculture.com

FDR: American Badass (2012) - Part 1

To celebrate Remembrance Day, sar and Jeff are joined by media studies legend Beth Haller to discuss the documentary FDR: American Badass. The film, a campy, over-the-top spoof, features Franklin D. Roosevelt as a werewolf-hunting president who contracts polio from a werewolf bite. Join us as we chat about some of the broader issues of disability representation in media, the challenges faced by disabled filmmakers, and the impact of ableism in Hollywood.

Clowns in the Woods (2021) - Part 2

Billie Anderson returns to help make sense of the bizarre disability revenge fantasy film, Clowns in the Woods (2021). Will the disability inclusion be enough for the film to receive a decent grade on the Invalid Culture scale or will this spooky film please the ghost of Jerry Lewis?

As always, transcripts are available on invalidculture.com

Clowns in the Woods (2021) - Part 1

Just in time for spooky season, PhD candidate Billie Anderson joins Jeff and Sarah to help make sense of the bizarre disability revenge fantasy film, Clowns in the Woods (2021). A rare example of disability film made by a predominantly disabled production team, Clowns in the Woods is a low budget film about a disabled man of indeterminable age who, after being bullied to death, teams up with a group of clowns to get revenge. But is disability inclusion enough for the film to fare well on the Invalid Culture scale?

As always, transcripts are available on invalidculture.com

I Am Potential (2015) - Part 2

We're back with the conclusion of our episodes on "I Am Potential", a biopic based on the life of blind musician Patrick Henry Hughes. Jeff and sar are joined by 21st Century Disability host, Hollis Peirce, to consider the representation of disability in the film. After finishing up our analysis of the film's plot and tropes, we put this movie to the ultimate test: the Invalid Culture Scale. But is it Jerry Lewis worthy?

As always, episode transcript can be found at invalidculture.com

I Am Potential (2015) - Part 1

Just in time for back to school, join the IC gang and guest victim Hollis Peirce as we discuss the film "I Am Potential". The movie is based on the true story of Patrick Henry Hughes, exploring the struggles and triumphs of Patrick and his family, particularly his father, who had to adjust his (beer league basketball) expectations and dreams for his son.

Our conversation discusses the film's portrayal of disability, the performances of the actors, and the film's context within the broader landscape of disability representation in media. We also discuss the film's focus on the father's involvement in a local basketball league, the family's financial struggles and wrap with a discussion about the film's depiction of a charity telethon.

As always, full episode transcript can be found at invalidculture.com

Special Unit (2017) - Part 2

Guest victim Liv join Jeff and sar once again to dig into the plot of "comedy" film Special Unit. Join us as we critique the film's humor, which often relies on offensive slurs and jokes about disability, and consider moments of insight and humour, particularly in its critique of ableism. Will this film warrant a Jerry Lewis Seal of Approval or is it an accidental piece of art?

Content warning: the following episode (and the film covered) includes uncensored use of the r-word slur.

As always, transcripts are available on invalidculture.com

Special Unit (2017) - Part 1

Sar and Jeff are joined this month by guest victim and award-winning poet, Liv Mammone, to try and unpack this "screwball comedy" that watches like a bad episode of South Park that attempts to draw together disability, policing, and political (in)correctness!

Content warning: the following episode (and the film covered) includes uncensored use of the r-word slur.

As always, transcripts can be found at invalidculture.com

The Hill (2023) - Part 2

Jeff, sar and Derek get back together to dig deeply into the "baseball" movie, The Hill...a movie, it turns out, with very little baseball or disability. Tune in to hear some excellent critical analysis and find out how the film does on the famous Invalid Culture scale!

As always, transcripts can be found at invalidculture.com