Take The Cannoli w/Nick & Karilyn

We explore: the recognition of women in professional sports; the struggle for creativity and diversity; the scourge of racism and how food might be the key to bridging divides; finishing creative projects; surprised at how happy we are.

Today our conversation revolves around concluding chapters in film franchises. The Return of the King, Deathly Hallows, The Dark Knight Rises, Endgame, Toy Story 3 How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, X-Men: The Last Stand, Revenge of the Sith, Return of the Jedi, and how they manage to wrap up the saga.

Karilyn talks about a harrowing documentary called A Plastic Ocean; Nick talks about Kevin Durant's tragic injury and the wild and callous media/fan circus that surrounds NBA players. Also: Frozen 2 trailer, Karilyn ruins the Tony's, and lives a social nightmare Plus more. Always more.

A reflection on the recent Australian Federal Election; Karilyn mistaking Constantine with John Wick; Nick's irrational fear of orchestral pits; the worst natural and military disasters in human history because that's where they're at; Karilyn spoils the Game of Thrones finale for herself; Asgardian meatballs and the Midwest's obsession with tuna casserole.

[SPOILERS AHEAD] In a super deluxe extended episode, Nick and Karilyn go through everything that happened in the monumental Avengers: Endgame, and come out the other side absolutely emotionally and spiritually exhausted yet satisfied. Suffice it to say that there are spoilers everywhere in this episode. SPOILERS PEOPLE!

Nick and Karilyn have their first ever guest on the show! Rohan Williams joins them to breakdown the mind melting first trailer for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Karilyn said she was going to see Captain Marvel but apparently English ivy killing was more important. Endgame is getting closer which means the plan to acquire popcorn goes up a notch. And other things happen.

We're together! Before they head out to check out Ed Night at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival they discuss their latest awkward social interactions, dealing with small talk, why moths are attracted to lights, exuberant laughing, fearing needles, etc.

Minutiae we talk about: bread pillows, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the new Avengers: Endgame trailer (we are so ready for this). whistling languages (the world is amazing), left alone cupcakes, unnecessary plots in porn, anxiety over parents judging your home cleaning skills, winery tours, etc.

We may be nihilist-go-lucky but sometimes, in fact, a lot of times, it is best to be compassionate, empathetic and understanding amid tragic, shocking circumstances - like the horrifying events in Christchurch that have rocked a country and people to their core, and yet the community, determination, love, courage, poise and grace that have been exhibited by the New Zealand people, led by their amazing prime minister, Jacinda Arden gives one hope that things can change for the better.

What grand minutiae of life do they come across this week? A few days to decompress over the Academy Awards. The bafflement and shock and incandescent hopeless rage of Green Book winning. Chris Evans being the internet's boyfriend once more. Seriously how did Green Book win? Nick is still processing it, and Karilyn has some calming, insightful words to sooth the madness.

What grand minutiae of life will we talk about this week? Well: crochet viruses, other weird crochet things, what is a virus, where does the word laconic come from, nice-guy Jesus and the anxiety of MidWestern politeness, going to New Zealand, all the Marvel movies in chronological release order, Karilyn promising Nick to watch Captain Marvel and Ant-Man and the Wasp before Avengers: Endgame is released, forgetting to talk about the Oscars etc, etc. It was a beautiful.

It starts with how weird Welsh words and Karilyn's name are, nation specific ents and christmas trees remaining stubbornly upright; the struggle of uncertainty that beset Karilyn as she prepared for adventure (anxiety yeah!). They also stumble upon an idea for a new podcast series (did someone say spinoff?) exploring books and their adaptations, and how Game of Thrones might end (spoilers?). It's all an effort for the two of them to be more productive!

Things we talk about: Nick losing all the money on the Super Bowl; Endgame Super Bowl trailer/theories; Karilyn and a baby possum rescue; existential ecological responsibilities; Nick begins watching a Star Trek; Friedlieb is the caffeine man and much, much, much more.

This is a big one - Hold up!! How did Black Panther not get nominated for Makeup and Hair-Styling?! Yes, Nick and Karilyn parse through the oscar nominations after all the hoopla has died down to take a more in depth view on how it might shake out on Oscar night. Also, Karilyn wasn't feeling too well and then she saw How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden Kingdom and now she's all better (dragon science), polite storms, and the insane weather in the American Midwest. They discuss if they would be up for going to Mars, and if humanity is capable of having a future past the next two hundred years. You know, the usual stuff. But mostly Oscar Noms. Be warned, Nick goes for a full 15 minutes without pause, breaking down the Best Picture nominees.

Eventually we get around to talking about some of our most anticipated TV shows of this year. The ones we'll see for the first time, the ones returning, the ones we continue to say that we're totally getting around to seeing and are quite happy for the people who do follow said show. Karilyn cracks even more under the weight of pressure to get Netflix. Also, they're in a good mood again, what's up with that?

The shows they're into: Game of Thrones, Mr. Robot, Handmaid's Tale, True Detective, Supernatural, Watchmen, The Good Place, Brooklyn 99, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Broad City, Carmen Sandiego, Veep, Stranger Things, etc.

We go from hang gliding to sky diving to the great clown shortage that is currently befalling the globe. Oh and all the amazing new movies coming out this year that we could barely fit all of the ones that we're excited for in it. Karilyn confesses proudly that she's a Basic Film Bitch (we're going to make it a thing), and didn't realise Frozen 2 is very much happening (just hear her reaction when she is told). Nick is almost out of patience with Karilyn and her lack of Netflix.

Our most anticipated films (in sort of no particular order): Knives Out, Star Wars: Episode 9, Toy Story 4, Little Women, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Frozen 2, Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Godzilla: King of Monsters, Jojo Rabbit, Captain Marvel, Gemini Man, Ad Astra, Us, Missing Link, High Life, The Day Shall Come, The Rhythm Section, The Irishman, Joker, The Personal History of David Copperfield, The Lion King

It's 2020 - wait, 2019. Nick and Karilyn are both sick, really living their best lives. The time vortex that consumes the days between Christmas and New Year's Day. Both have existential crises on a plane.

Nick rants about the existence of three quarter pants and they discuss the heavily skewed expectations of appearance between men and women; also that common sense prevails and there's no tampon tax anymore because yeah, every woman loves having the luxury of a period every month (sarcasm).

Other things they talk about: summer and cricket, rowdy cockatoos, make up issue (not at a funeral) and body image, antiquated political systems in superhero movies (Aquaman and Black Panther we're looking at you) and so forth. We want to be kind and do nice things for people this year.

Eavesdrop on Nick and Karilyn at The Sherlock Holmes bar in the second part of the year end show. Pour a cold one and settle in on a warm evening as they discuss, pop culture consuming, the escalation of bespoke beer culture, the issues facing rational and pragmatic progress so that the world doesn't burn up. Nick once more gushes over Roma, why are Nazis still a thing, acting is not something you can just start doing, Greg. We're a friend pair apparently.

Note: Things got a little noisy here (it may have been because it was in a bar) and so the sound of our voices is more like a conversation that is totally engrossing that one overhears when they're relaxing with friends in a wonderful, quaint bar on a warm Saturday night. You'll think you're actually there. So it's more of a transporting experience. Which we try to do every now and again for you wonderful people.

In part one, Nick and Karilyn wander around Melbourne city. They get caught in the rain, obsess over pigeons, make friends with seagulls, discuss the monsters that spoil book and movie endings, the bliss of reading chapter after chapter, Harry Potter, Star Wars concert, reflect on the year they had, heartless modern buildings, the state of their mentality, Alfonso Cuaron's masterpiece, Roma, buskers, and the absorbing energy permeating the city on a bustling Saturday evening.

Here's a little, brief history about Karilyn and Nick. Also airport ordeals, surprise birthdays, surreal landscapes, and the crushing realisation that 2018 is almost at an end. And yet still they both remain happy. Who are they even!

Additionally, they'll be around Melbourne town this Saturday from 4pm talking about things and people and the passing of life in front of their eyes. Follow us on Instagram @swishaus and Twitter @swishculture.

Excitement over watching someone else watch a film you love. The buffet of films coming in 2019. Weird hills that people die on these days. Karilyn wants real lemonade. Both of them are relatively happy for some reason. Also, they introduce a new, way too late topic - simple pleasures. We all need it.

On the passing of Marvel titan and perpetual sunglasses wearer, Stan Lee, and discussing death more openly. Nick voted in the Victorian State election and no suppression was involved (he missed out on a democracy sausage though) Also another weird cosmic prediction/fact, Karilyn has a new job. They discuss their very own Marvel Cinematic Universe movies tiers and rankings.

It's clear that we did not prepare adequately for a discussion about the universe but we forge along anyway because humans are stubborn and curious. Black holes, quasars, the age of the universe, stars, quantum mechanics, peeing in a space suit. We got it all.

Halloween came and went. Nick and Karilyn recount their experiences on the night. Nick went to a halloween party on his own and arrived way too early. Karilyn attended a short film screening and intercepted a hug intended for someone else. Also, GO VOTE AMERICA.

And finally, the incisive, smart deconstruction of horror and slasher films, Cabin in the Woods. Nick gasps pretty much the whole time as he tries to be one step ahead of the film (he doesn't). Karilyn discusses her lucid dreaming. Doug is also here.

First up, the 1968 psychological horror, Rosemary's Baby (which is definitely not in black and white). Prepare for Nick and Karilyn to be flummoxed by the colours (what does it all mean!) and the prescient and relevant themes that the film so compellingly explores. Multiple times Karilyn is ready to flip the table in righteous anger. The real horror here is social interactions with the neighbors.

A lot happens between a turkey call and recalling fond memories of New Zealand in this episode. Also we didn't realise we had been talking for an hour. We try to lay out the whole Halloween deal but fail miserably. Also Karilyn keeps referencing her cat (what else is new?) Doug is also here. Some religion pops in.

A Halloween extravaganza awaits you all with three episodes this week. Two movies - Rosemary's Baby and The Cabin in the Woods (28 Days Later was cruelly taken from us) will be commented, broken down, guffawed, marinated and served for your listening pleasure. They are baffled by the pronunciation of 'samhain', Nick gets a kink in his neck. Karilyn is ready to get off this planet at 90, and that Halloween for her was an excuse to dress up and scare the hell out of people (never change)

Nick is joined by his brother Chris once more to break down the miraculous draw between Australia and Pakistan, where the Australian side goes from here (is it a new era or is it more of the same loop?) The summer is going to be different. New channel, new commentators, new music? First thoughts of what cricket will look like on Channel 7 and Foxtel. Oh and Chris goes one way and then another on The Everest (we all know how that ended up)

Get out and vote Americans! So apparently the world will begin to end in little over a decade oh my god. This is not a drill, people. Nick and Karilyn wrap their heads around the new climate change report from the UN and them literally saying to everyone that IT. WILL. HAPPEN if nothing is done. Scumbag Dodo is this years Scumbag Steve (blast from the past). Also Taylor Swift is in the game, and she threw down. HARD. Voting surge from her getting all political. And religious freedom, Australian catholic school system, and so forth. Our Halloween spectacular will be happening in a couple of weeks so we also try to talk about that. It's only that things got real existentially despairing with the world turning into a extreme climate rollercoaster in twelve years time. Karilyn forgot to press record. Crisis was averted.

For real though, everyone needs to get to know this report, and what it's projecting. You don't need to read the whole thing but skimming it, or getting the most salient parts from news sources helps mightily. This isn't fanciful or fear mongering. This is legitimate and falling rapidly within our life time. Or think of it this way, we have roughly twenty more Marvel films to go before there's really no turning back.

And we have a ridiculously celebrity centric episode from outta nowhere. Utter clickbait but we're doing it anyway, we don't care. What is a real reality TV show and what isn't? Number 6 will surprise you! Also Flockstars is a thing. Nick and Karilyn tip toe toward the entrance of the reality television rabbit hole. Karilyn successfully mails her postal vote for the upcoming mid-terms in the US. Nick is frustrated and sad about the Cubs losing to the Brewers and then to the Rockies to crash out of the playoffs. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is a horror movie with dinosaurs that needed more dinosaurs killing bad people (we're not behind the news, you are!) Also yet another awkward ending. We're big in Sweden apparently.

Before settling in for a few froffs to watch the big dance, settle in with Nick and brother Chris as they hastily preview Collingwood and West Coast. Magpies and Eagles. Two birds you do not want to mess with. Key matchups and what to look for during the match, surprise players, predictions on first goal scorer and Norm Smith medallist, and our picks to lift the cup by late afternoon on a who the hell knows what kind of day it'll be in Melbourne.

Nick and Karilyn enjoy all the meats of Melbourne's cultural stew so they go to the ballet. It doesn't have a bear riding around in a cart. Instead it's Spartacus with many leaps. From The Australian Ballet Company. These guys are legit. Powerful, intense, beautiful, enthralling, a lot of grape platters teetering on bathtub edges. Both a preview and reaction - two parts in one. What value. Nick sees it as a silent movie, better to process. The kids should have had a leash, Karilyn loses her phone, Nick accidentally stumbles onto some helpful advice for writing for characters of different backgrounds. Shoutout to Proof is in the Pudding and their gorge-worthy cakes that make an appearance. Briefly, before being consume. Also Nagini was a human character? Stop. Everything.

How obscure can literature trivia get? Dead Sea Scrolls calendars don't mess around, first aliens in stories is a little further back than we thought. They're both in the reeds a little. Nick goes to the AFL finals and is annoyed at the mass of humanity. Karilyn's live reaction to watching the Captain Marvel trailer that is omg, and gushing over Mary Poppins Returns. Good news, bad news: A technical difficulty. Needles are supposed to go in haystacks, not strawberries. Cathay Pacific renames itself after Frankie doesn't show up to work. Karilyn lands a role involving a piano and some Italian dancers, Nick cataclysmically overthinks being given a pass to a film festival screening.

Reflecting on the 9/11 anniversary, rich people voices, the prevalence of baby sharks. Trivia time: Mesoamerican ball games where the losing team is sacrificed to the gods, and the Ancient Egyptians relationship being all cool and chill 'cause they reminded them of all their gods. The Chicago Cubs are frustrating Nick. Karilyn experiences Queens of the Stone Age in concert and can't remember a big band sounding supporting act that played a song about zombies. Good news, bad news: wedge tailed eagles are not having a good time in country Victoria, and a new theory involving flux tubes may answer the question as to why the universe has three spatial dimensions (mind proceeds to be blown) is released because scientists are beautifully, crazily imaginative. Also Lin-Manuel Miranda is a treasure.

Title music - 'This Dog is the King of the Losers' by Bee Bee Sea

Nick and Karilyn attempt to announce what the new season will be be about, fail emphatically. Instead they muse on adulting, sausages, the abject meaning of existence, decide to sacrifice their souls to binge watch some reality TV, representation in film and the toxic backlash culture that's spilling over from the online to the real world. We also run through some random headlines of the day and leave on a little cat-related hope.

Delve further into the archives as Nick and Karilyn experience James Cameron's masterpiece, Aliens, the tentacles of corporation, the various constructs of freedom and how modern society and culture deals with it, the issue of bullying and how to treat it, the differences between Alien and Aliens (apart from the 's'), Karilyn's first AFL match, and debate what kind of apocalypse they'd be most excited for.

As we countdown to the return of a new season, listen to some of the classics. The second worst superhero film to star Ryan Reynolds, Green Lantern We also talk about Nick's experience at the Middle Earth film marathon, hipster couples, what makes a good superhero film, the next installment of Nick's existential crisis, Karilyn freaking out over seeing some wig netting on Sinestro, training montages, thoughts on Solo, Deadpool 2, and (belatedly) Avengers: Infinity War.

Before Nick and Karilyn return, Nick checks in with brother Chris and Dan Thomas to preview the AFL finals, who can possibly topple Richmond, the catastrophic failure at Carlton, the fortunes of the teams from outside the eight, the crapshoot of the NRL, and Chris and Nick's horse goes for a gallop.