Podcast Summary

Dear Movies, I Love You

Episode: Millie & Casey Were on My Favorite Murder!
Release Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Millie De Chirico & Casey O'Brien (with Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark of "My Favorite Murder")

Overview

This lively crossover episode marks the debut of "Dear Movies, I Love You" on the Exactly Right network. Millie De Chirico and Casey O'Brien chat with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark about the podcast's unique, heartfelt approach to movies. The conversation explores emotional connections to film, breaking down barriers in movie fandom, and, of course, plenty of laughs over movie rituals, recommendations, and weird theater stories.

Main theme:
Cinema as an emotional refuge and obsessive crush, not just an intellectual pursuit—a sincere, judgment-free celebration of all things movies for film lovers and new fans alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Podcast’s Vibe and Purpose

[04:09] – [07:44]

• Casey O’Brien: The show’s like “having a crush on movies”—deep affection and fun, blending highbrow and lowbrow films without snobbery.
  • “We want it to be accessible…talk about [movies] in a way that’s fun…an inviting, fun, cute podcast.” ([04:09])
• Millie De Chirico gets personal:
  • Developed an emotional relationship with movies, especially intensified during tough, isolating years like COVID.
  • Sees film as a constant comfort and “partner” in life.
  • “It's the one thing that has consistently stayed in my life that has been, like, my refuge from all the bullshit…Like, we’re in love with movies.” ([05:45])

Breaking Down Film Snobbery

[06:53] – [10:37]

• The assumption that there are “right” or “wrong” movies to like is rejected.
• “Our podcast wants to…hold up all types of films and make them…meaningful equally. It's more about how these movies make us feel rather than the intellectual value.” – Casey O'Brien ([07:05])
• The joy of finding “your people” who can share passionate (even opposing) takes.

Connecting Through Movies (and Arguing Respectfully)

[08:22] – [10:37]

• The show models respectful disagreement and curiosity, even if one host doesn’t love the other’s favorite.
  • “I would rather listen and be fascinated by your passion for something than just shitting on you for liking a movie I don't like.” – Millie De Chirico ([09:54])

Memorable Movie Picks: Recent Watches

[10:47] – [15:19]

• Hosts share recent films they loved:
  • Millie: “Better Man” (the “Robbie Williams monkey movie”): unexpectedly moving and impressive.
  • Casey: “Truly, Madly, Deeply” – a 1990 ghost-romance with Alan Rickman and Juliet Stevenson, brought him to tears.
    • “It’s so beautiful and touching…I was like, this is, like, one of my new favorite movies of all time.” ([12:44])
  • Karen and Georgia both get excited (“That’s my favorite movie!”). Discussion highlights its realistic grief and emotional authenticity.

Movie Comforts & Judgment-Free Recommendations

[15:31] – [16:27]

• “I find a movie I like, and I watch it 40 times…There's no shame. That's the thing with our podcast. There's no shame.” – Casey ([15:42])
• “We are cringe, but we are free.” – Millie, echoed by Casey ([15:50])

Gateway Movies for New Cinephiles

[16:15] – [22:23]

What movies help bridge the gap to “film world” for intimidated fans?

Millie’s Picks:

• American indie films from the '90s (Jim Jarmusch’s “Stranger Than Paradise," Alison Anders’ “Gas Food Lodging")
• “The Shining” (as “elevated” horror)
• Early Wes Anderson (esp. “Rushmore," “Royal Tenenbaums”)
  • “Here's an auteurist director building a cinema language...kind of sets you up for more.” ([18:40])

Casey’s Picks:

• Paul Thomas Anderson (“Boogie Nights” as accessible, “There Will Be Blood” as more artful)
• “Blue Velvet” by David Lynch as his most user-friendly film and an entry to weirder cinema.
  • “If you want to get into David Lynch, I would say start with Blue Velvet.” ([21:27])
• RIP David Lynch, discussed for making “weird” safe and accessible.

Movie Rituals and Theaters: Food, Faux Pas, and Celebrity Sightings

[32:06] – [38:02]

• Popcorn is non-negotiable — even if it leads to stomachaches.
  • “I don't care if I'm on the toilet for, like, three days after this. I have to eat it.” – Millie ([32:57])
• Debating when to eat snacks—before or during? Most agree: shovel during the movie, not just trailers.
• Favorite concession sightings: Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Seinfeld side characters, and a memorable Colin Farrell sighting (“We’re feral for Farrell!” – Casey [37:21]), with a vivid description of his movie star aura.

Wild and Weird Theater Stories

[41:34] – [47:47]

• Millie’s bad theater experience:

  • Firework thrown during a packed “Furiosa” screening, leading to chaos and evacuation.
  • “This movie theater…there's always teenage antics. That’s the problem—the teenagers run the place, so nothing gets done…Now I stay away.” ([43:06])

• Casey’s “reserved seat” ordeal at the ArcLight: confrontation with an elderly couple sitting in his paid seats during “The Big Short”—awkward, but necessary.

• Karen’s horror story: stumbling in the dark, running into a wall during a dark film while searching for her seat.

Video Store Nostalgia: Covers, Horror, and X-Rated Sections

[50:06] – [57:39]

• Guests recall the first VHS/DVD covers they remember:
  • Georgia: “Twins” ([50:14])
  • Karen: “A Fish Called Wanda”
• Millie: “Happy Birthday To Me” (horror with a shish kebab on the cover); also, Argento’s “Phenomena” (aka “Creepers”) with a gory bug theme ([52:54])
  • “All of my good memories from video stores come from the horror movie section. It's just what clicked in my brain…” ([52:54])
• Video stores as places of wonder and forbidden browsing, including sneaking peeks into X-rated curtained sections.
  • “So it's like, then all of a sudden it's like your friend's dad, like, disappears behind the curtain. And I'm like, yeah, that would never…happen these days.” – Millie ([56:54])

Dream Guests & Closing Reflections

[58:09] – [61:39]

• Dream guests:
  • Keanu Reeves (“I say it every podcast!” – Millie [58:23])
  • Martin Scorsese—because of his deep movie love.
• The hosts reflect on their excitement to launch the show and gratitude to the My Favorite Murder team for support.
• Pride in the authentic, inviting, and “cringe-but-free” approach to film conversations.
• Plug: The Softies did the podcast’s theme song. “Their vibe was an inspiration to the podcast.” – Casey ([61:10])

Notable Quotes

• “We just love movies. We're like, in love with movies. We…have crushes on movies.” – Millie De Chirico ([06:21])
• “There’s no shame. That’s the thing with our podcast.” – Casey O’Brien ([15:42])
• “I would rather listen and be fascinated by your passion for something than just shitting on you for liking a movie I don't like.” – Millie De Chirico ([09:54])
• “We're a pro Farrell podcast. We know this.” – Millie ([37:24])
• “We are cringe, but we are free.” – Millie and Casey ([15:50])
• “You don't need to suffer to make great art…it's better to be a happy person making art.” – Casey O’Brien, about David Lynch ([24:26])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:09] – Podcast pitch & emotional connection to film
• [10:47] – Recent watches: “Better Man,” “Truly, Madly, Deeply”
• [16:27] – Gateway movies for emerging cinephiles
• [22:23] – David Lynch, “Mulholland Drive,” and weird cinema
• [32:06] – Movie theater snack rituals and etiquette
• [36:00] – Celebrity sightings at the ArcLight
• [41:34] – Wildest movie theater memories
• [50:06] – Favorite VHS/DVD covers and video store nostalgia
• [58:09] – Dream guests (Keanu Reeves, Scorsese)
• [61:10] – Theme song shoutout (“The Softies”)

Final Thoughts

“Dear Movies, I Love You” invites listeners into an earnest, accepting cinematic party—blending deep love for movies with irreverence and humor. Whether you’re a die-hard cinephile or just movie-curious, Millie and Casey’s unpretentious approach makes loving movies feel like falling in love for the first time: a little goofy, a little overwhelming, all heart.

New episodes drop every Tuesday, starting January 28th.