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Debs' Watchlist

Debs' Watchlist

By Deborah Liao

Hi there! Debs here, and welcome to my podcast "Debs' Watchlist," where I share all the movies and shows on my watchlist. Sometimes this show is a solo-cast, and other times, it's conversations with special guests or friends. Regardless, if you like to nerd out over films and TV or if you need recommendations on what to watch, then check out this podcast!

(FYI, this podcast was also formerly known as "Movies with Debs.")
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Conversations: Honest Thoughts on Pixar's "Soul"

Debs' WatchlistJan 29, 2021

00:00
48:01
Debs' January Recs: Don't Look Up, The God Committee, and Our Beloved Summer
Jan 31, 202210:42
2021 in Review: Top 3 Picks in Films, TV Shows, and Korean Dramas

2021 in Review: Top 3 Picks in Films, TV Shows, and Korean Dramas

After watching 100+ movies, TV series, and K-dramas in 2021, I'm sharing my top 3 picks in each category (with maybe also a few additional honorable mentions ;)).

Jan 01, 202221:42
Squid Game: Netflix's Smash Hit Survival Korean Drama

Squid Game: Netflix's Smash Hit Survival Korean Drama

Netflix's original Korean series "Squid Game" has become an unexpected global hit, topping the most-watched lists in 90 countries and becoming the first Korean show to hit No. 1 on Netflix in the US. A violent thriller, the show revolves around a survival game where contestants compete in children's games with deadly consequences. Tune in to learn more about the show that everyone is watching.

Oct 04, 202112:47
Debs' Recs: Mare of Easttown, In the Heights, and Mine

Debs' Recs: Mare of Easttown, In the Heights, and Mine

With summer upon us, so many new shows and movies are making their premieres. Tune in to hear about the three films and shows I enjoyed the most this past June: the hit HBO crime drama and Kate Winslet-starrer "Mare of Easttown," Lin Manuel Miranda's fun and vibrant musical "In the Heights," and the suspenseful Korean drama "Mine."

Jul 09, 202110:31
Debs' Recs: Miss Sloane, Sing Me a Lullaby, & Navillera

Debs' Recs: Miss Sloane, Sing Me a Lullaby, & Navillera

Here comes another round of film and TV recommendations from yours truly! Tune in to hear about the intense political thriller "Miss Sloane," which stars Jessica Chastain as a cold, successful DC lobbyist; the documentary "Sing Me a Lullaby," which tells the incredible, true story of a girl reconnecting her mother with her birth family; and the Korean drama "Navillera," which is about an elderly man pursuing his dreams of becoming a ballerina.

Jun 01, 202110:13
Oscars 2021: The Good, The Bad, and the Awkward (plus a Quick Primer on the Best Picture Nominees)

Oscars 2021: The Good, The Bad, and the Awkward (plus a Quick Primer on the Best Picture Nominees)

The 2021 Oscars have come and gone in a ceremony unlike any other, thanks to the pandemic. Tune in to hear the highs, low, and awkward of this year's Academy Awards, followed by a quick intro to the eight nominees for Best Picture: Nomadland, Sound of Metal, Mank, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Judas and the Black Messiah, Promising Young Woman, Minari, and The Father.

May 01, 202114:36
Debs' Recs: Promising Young Woman, Run, and Penthouse

Debs' Recs: Promising Young Woman, Run, and Penthouse

We're a quarter way through 2021, so I wanted to share my favorite watches of the year thus far. Tune in to hear my top 3 films and shows: the Oscar nominated "Promising Young Woman," the indie thriller "Run," and the Korean drama "Penthouse."

Mar 31, 202112:48
Conversations: To All the Rom Coms We've Watched in February

Conversations: To All the Rom Coms We've Watched in February

Join me and my friends Winnie and Tiff as we chat about two romantic comedies that we watched in celebration of Valentine's Day: "To All The Boys: Always and Forever," which is the final installment of Netflix's "To All The Boys" film series, and "It Happened One Night," which is a 1934 film that has been ranked as the #1 rom com of all time on Rotten Tomatoes.

Feb 26, 202139:29
Conversations: Honest Thoughts on Pixar's "Soul"
Jan 29, 202148:01
Happy New Year, and a Quick Announcement!

Happy New Year, and a Quick Announcement!

Hey everyone! Happy new year! Just wanted to share a few updates and changes to this podcast!

Jan 05, 202104:29
Mulan: A Reflection of the Battle Between Art and Commerce in Hollywood

Mulan: A Reflection of the Battle Between Art and Commerce in Hollywood

Disney's live-action remake of Mulan was one of 2020's most highly anticipated films, but now, it is one of the frontrunners for worst film of the year. Despite its critical acclaim from Western critics, many audiences around the world are not fans of Mulan, especially given all the political controversies surrounding this film. But politics aside, and strictly speaking from a movie perspective, Mulan was incredibly disappointing - it failed to deliver anything remotely close to the magic and charm of the animated original. So how did Disney get things so wrong? Tune in to hear how Mulan is a classic example of the disaster that ensues when business, not art, drives filmmaking.

Sep 28, 202023:60
Conversations: Film Festivals Then and Now (...in the Time of Corona) with Cynthia Liu
Jul 24, 202039:49
Conversations: Kung Fu, Stunting, and Acting with Tiger Tam
May 31, 202027:51
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: The 5 Asian-American Films You Need to Know

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: The 5 Asian-American Films You Need to Know

In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, learn about the five Asian-American films that have had a significant impact on Asian representation in Hollywood.

May 19, 202019:14
Movies in 5: The Bling Ring

Movies in 5: The Bling Ring

For today's 5 minute movie review, I'll be talking about the 2013 film "The Bling Ring." Directed by Sofia Coppola and starring Emma Watson, this movie is a satirical retelling of the true story about a group of high schoolers who burglarized the homes of Hollywood's rich and famous.

May 08, 202004:59
Movies in 5: 12 Angry Men

Movies in 5: 12 Angry Men

New month means new episode...in a new format!

Introducing "Movies in 5," where I'll review a movie in just 5 minutes so that you can run along to watch the real thing. Quick note: I'll still do my regular, long-form episodes, but since I've been requested by a few people to do more movie recs, especially in this time of lockdown, I've decided to test out this new format. 

So what's today's movie? The 1957 classic "12 Angry Men." Listen to find out what it's all about! 


May 02, 202004:51
Quibi: A New Player in the Streaming Wars

Quibi: A New Player in the Streaming Wars

The streaming wars just got even more crowded. Meet Quibi, which is a new streaming platform that is mobile-only and focused on short-form content. The brainchild of media mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg, Quibi launched in early April with 50 shows starring top talent like Jennifer Lopez, Reese Witherspoon, and Chance the Rapper. So what makes Quibi different from other streaming platforms? Will it be a formidable player in the streaming wars? Check out this episode to learn more about Quibi and also hear my initial thoughts on this platform.

Apr 21, 202016:36
The Coronavirus: Film's $20B Problem and Opportunity

The Coronavirus: Film's $20B Problem and Opportunity

The coronavirus has impacted businesses around the world, and the film industry is no exception. Analysts predict that by the time the coronavirus dies down, the global film industry may lose $20B. But even though the virus has caused a crisis, there may be some interesting opportunities to find a silver lining. Learn about both the challenges and opportunities on this episode of "Movies with Debs."

Mar 31, 202021:05
Parasite: The South Korean film that has made history

Parasite: The South Korean film that has made history

Welcome to my podcast, "Movies with Debs," where I talk about movies and their significance. Today, I'll be talking about the South Korean film "Parasite" and explore why it has been enjoying such widespread success and what its historic Oscar Best Picture win could mean for the future of cinema.

Feb 24, 202016:30