• Writer + Editor
    • Writing Portfolio
    • Resume
  • Photographer
    • Portraits
    • Day in the Life
    • Pricing
  • Cinephile + Nerd
    • Griddy Films
    • The Tribble Maker
    • InSession Film Guest Blog Posts
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Rachel Wager-Smith

Photographer | Write + Editor | Cinephile + Nerd
  • Writer + Editor
    • Writing Portfolio
    • Resume
  • Photographer
    • Portraits
    • Day in the Life
    • Pricing
  • Cinephile + Nerd
    • Griddy Films
    • The Tribble Maker
    • InSession Film Guest Blog Posts
  • Home
  • Contact
  • About Me
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Nitty Griddy Reviews Episode 14 - The Hours

July 09, 2018 in Flashback Friday, Nitty Griddy

My friend Em and I talk about The Hours, Margot freaking Martindale, and that uncomfortable kiss. We also get serious and talk about mental illness, important functions of film, and the poor portrayal of an AIDS patient. Be sure to check out our completed grids, below.

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The Grid (Guests) - RACHEL The Hours-1.png
The Grid (Guests) - EM The Hours-1.png
Tags: The Hours, Stephen Daldry, Michael Cunningham, David Hare, biopic, historical fiction, adaptation, adapted screenplay, academy awards, aca, academy award winner, best actress, Nicole Kidman, Virginia Woolf, Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep, Stephen Dillane, Leonard Woolf, Miranda Richardson, John C. Reilly, Jack Rovello, little richie, Toni Collette, Margo Martindale, Ed Harris, Allison Janney, Claire Danes, Jeff Daniels, flowers, Philip Glass, Mrs. Dalloway, depression, mental illness, AIDS
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Nitty Griddy Reviews Episode 13 - Marvel Monday: Iron Man 3

July 02, 2018 in Nitty Griddy, Marvel Monday

Trystan and I talk about Iron Man 3, girl power, extreme magma people, and that sweet Mandarin Twist! I also erroneously attribute Die Hard to Shane Black, but will make up for it by watching Die Hard for the first time and reviewing it for the upcoming 30th anniversary!

Send us your recipes for a Mandarin Twist cocktail at griddyfilms@gmail.com and we'll give you a shout out in our next Marvel Monday review!

Be sure to check out our completed grids, below.

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Marvel Mondays Grid - Iron Man 3 Rachel-1.png
Marvel Mondays Grid - Iron Man 3 Trystan-1.png
Tags: Marvel, MCU, superhero, stan lee, iron man, Shane Black, Drew Pearce, Robert Downey Jr., Tony Stark, Gwyneth Paltrow, Pepper Potts, Don Cheadle, Colonel James Rhodes, Guy Pearce, Aldrich Killian, Rebecca Hall, Maya Hansen, Jon Favreau, Happy Hogan, Ben Kingsley, Trevor Slattery, Mandarin, Ty Simpkins, Harley Keener, extremis, invincible iron man
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Nitty Griddy Reviews Episode 12 - The Fifth Element

June 29, 2018 in Flashback Friday, Nitty Griddy

My friends Sami and Bryan and I talk about The Fifth Element, the most 90s things I've ever seen, and the food technologies we look forward to most. I also find a way to talk about Natalie Portman in a movie she's not even in! Be sure to check out our completed grids, below.

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The Grid (Guests) - RACHEL 5th Element-1.png
The Grid (Guests) - SAMI Fifth Element-1.png
The Grid (Guests) - BRYAN 5th Element-1.png
Tags: fifth element, 5th element, Le cinquième élément, sci-fi, action adventure, Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen, Bruce Willis, Korben Dallas, Gary Oldman, Zorg, Ian Holm, Milla Jovovich, Leeloo, Chris Tucker, Ruby Rhod, Luke Perry, Mondoshawan, Mangalore, diva, Fhloston
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Nitty Griddy Reviews Episode 11 - Fargo

June 22, 2018 in Flashback Friday, Nitty Griddy

My mom, Melissa, and I talk about Fargo, sociopaths, geography, and one of the funniest American movies of the 20th century? We also have way too much trouble pronouncing the name Gaear. It's not that hard, past selves! Plus, my mom also thinks she's too cool for the grid - you only get away with that once, Mom! Be sure to check out our completed grids, below (I did the best I could filling out my mom's!).

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The Grid (Guests) - RACHEL Fargo-1.png
The Grid (Guests) - MELISSA Fargo-1.png
Tags: Fargo, American comedy, black comedy, dark humor, joel coen, ethan coen, coen brothers, William H. Macy, Jerry Lundegaard, Steve Buscemi, Carl Showalter, Peter Stormare, Gaear Grimsrud, Kristin Rudrüd, Jean Lundegaard, Harve Presnell, Wade Gustafson, Frances McDormand, Marge Gunderson, John Carroll Lynch, Norm Gunderson, Carter Burwell, Roger Deakins, academy award winner, academy award nominated, academy awards
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Nitty Griddy Reviews Episode 10 - Superman: The Movie

June 15, 2018 in Flashback Friday, Nitty Griddy

Happy Father's Day! Today, to celebrate Superman's 80th birthday and the upcoming 40th anniversary of this movie, my Dad, Mark (the biggest Superman fan I know), and I talk about Superman: The Movie, believing a man can fly, and the atrocity of, "Can You Read My Mind?" We also get a little distracted talking about our favorite iterations of Superman/Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Lex Luthor. Be sure to check out our completed grids, below.

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The Grid (Guests) - Superman RACHEL-1.png
The Grid (Guests) - Superman MARK-1.png
Tags: superman, dc, dc comics, superhero, Richard Donner, Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, Robert Benton, Tom Mankiewicz, Marlon Brando, Jor-El, krypton, kryptonite, Gene Hackman, Lex Luthor, Christopher Reeve, clark kent, smallville, metropolis, daily planet, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, perry white, Glenn Ford, pa kent, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent, Ma Kent, Phyllis Thaxter, Margot Kidder, lois lane, Terence Stamp, General Zod, Marc McClure, jimmy olsen, John Williams
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Nitty Griddy Reviews Episode 09 - Jurassic Park

June 08, 2018 in Flashback Friday, Nitty Griddy

Jurassic Park celebrates it's 25th anniversary this year, so my friends Sami and Bryan join me to discuss one of the best movies ever made, living on Hawaii when the movie was filmed, and so, so many bangs. I also lament the fact that my college education did not include more Jurassic Park, and I stand by it. Be sure to check out our completed grids, below.

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The Grid (Guests) - RACHEL Jurassic Park-1.png
The Grid (Guests) - SAMI Jurassic Park-1.png
The Grid (Guests) - BRYAN Jurassic Park-1.png
Tags: Jurassic Park, Steven Spielberg, Michael Crichton, Sam Neill, grant, ellie, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, malcolm, chaotician, Richard Attenborough, Hammond, paleontologist, Paleobotany, Bob Peck, muldoon, Martin Ferrero, Gennaro, BD Wong, wu, Joseph Mazzello, tim, lex, Ariana Richards, Samuel L. Jackson, Arnold, Wayne Knight, nedry, dinosaurs, t-rex, raptor, Velociraptor, dna, clone, life, uh, life uh finds a way, tyrannosaurus, clever girl
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Nitty Griddy Reviews Episode 08 - Marvel Monday: The Avengers

June 04, 2018 in Nitty Griddy, Marvel Monday

Trystan and I talk about The Avengers, the lost art of midnight showings, and newfound fallibilities within Joss Whedon's oeuvre. We also swear kinda sorta a lot because Avengers! F*** Yeah!! Be sure to check out our completed grids, below.

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Marvel Mondays Grid - The Avengers Rachel-1.png
Marvel Mondays Grid - The Avengers Trystan -1.png
Tags: Marvel, MCU, superhero, stan lee, Chris Evans, captain america, steve rogers, Samuel L. Jackson, Alan Silvestri, Joss Whedon, Avengers, Alexis Denisof, the other, Gwyneth Paltrow, pepper potts, Nick Fury, Stellan Skarsgård, selvig, Cobie Smulders, maria hill, Clark Gregg, coulson, Tom Hiddleston, loki, jeremy renner, hawkeye, clint barton, Scarlett Johansson, black widow, natasha romanoff, Chris Hemsworth, thor, Mark Ruffalo, bruce banner, hulk, Robert Downey Jr., tony stark, iron man
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Nitty Griddy Reviews Episode 07 - The Truman Show

June 01, 2018 in Flashback Friday, Nitty Griddy

The Truman show turns 20! The celebrate, Jessie and I talk about The Truman Show, Napstering our favorite movie scores as children, and the dark side of reality TV. We also get pretty far off topic more than once, but I don't even feel a little bad about it. Be sure to check out our completed grids, below.

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The Grid 2018 - Truman Show RACHEL (1)-1.png
The Grid (Guests) - The Truman Show JESSIE-1.png
Tags: truman show, Peter Weir, Andrew Niccol, Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Ed Harris, Paul Giamatti, Philip Glass
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Nitty Griddy Reviews Episode 06 - Marvel Monday: Captain America: The First Avenger

May 28, 2018 in Nitty Griddy, Marvel Monday

Trystan and I talk about Captain America: The First Avenger,  a proverbial fence on which I seem to be spending a lot of time, and so much cheese. Trystan also pretends like he saw Cleopatra 2525 "while changing channels" - nice try, buddy. Be sure to check out our completed grids, below.

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Marvel Mondays Grid - Captain America Rachel-1.png
Marvel Mondays Grid - Captain America Trystan-1.png
Tags: Marvel, MCU, superhero, stan lee, Joe Johnston, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, Chris Evans, captain america, steve rogers, Hayley Atwell, peggy carter, agent carter, Sebastian Stan, bucky, bucky barnes, Tommy Lee Jones, Colonel Chester Phillips, Hugo Weaving, Johann Schmidt, red skull, Dominic Cooper, howard stark, Stanley Tucci, Samuel L. Jackson, Toby Jones, Dr. Arnim Zola, Alan Silvestri
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Nitty Griddy Reviews Episode 05 - 2001: A Space Odyssey

May 25, 2018 in Nitty Griddy, Flashback Friday

My sister, Jessie, and I talk about 2001: A Space Odyssey, the great unknown, and offensive hair. I also forget James Joyce's name and refer to him as "the same guy who wrote Ulysses" - my bad. Be sure to check out our completed grids, below.

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The Grid (Guests) - 2001 A Space Odyssey RACHEL-1.png
The Grid (Guests) - 2001 A Space Odyssey JESSIE-1.png
Tags: 2001, Space Odyssey, sci-fi, stanley kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, HAL, space, monolith, star child
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Nitty Griddy Reviews Episode 04 - Marvel Monday: THOR!

May 21, 2018 in Nitty Griddy, Marvel Monday

Trystan and I talk about Thor, how much we love Thor, and how much we hate that other people don't love Thor! We also tackle some common criticisms of this oft-trashed MCU gem. Be sure to check out our completed grids, below.

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Marvel Mondays Grid - Thor Rachel (1)-1.png
Marvel Mondays Grid - Thor Trystan-1.png
Tags: Marvel, MCU, superhero, stan lee, nick fury, Thor, Kenneth Branagh, Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Don Payne, Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Jane Foster, Tom Hiddleston, loki, odin, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård, erik selvig, Kat Dennings, Clark Gregg, coleson, coulson, Idris Elba, Heimdall, lady sif, warriors three, warriors 3, Jaimie Alexander, Rene Russo, frigga
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Nitty Griddy Reviews Episode 03 - Marvel Monday: Iron Man 2

May 14, 2018 in Nitty Griddy, Marvel Monday

Trystan and I talk about Iron Man 2, the ethics of wipe transitions, and egregious hair offenses. We also inexplicably swear a lot - sorry Mom and Dad! Be sure to check out our completed grids, below.

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Marvel Mondays Grid - Iron Man 2 Rachel-1.png
Marvel Mondays Grid - Iron Man 2 Trystan-1.png
Tags: Iron Man, Marvel, MCU, superhero, robert downey jr., Jon Favreau, stan lee, Gwyneth Paltrow, Justin Theroux, Don Cheadle, war machine, Scarlett Johansson, black widow, Sam Rockwell, Mickey Rourke, whiplash, Samuel L. Jackson, nick fury, coulson, John Slattery, tony stark, Garry Shandling
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Nitty Griddy Reviews Episode 02 - Marvel Monday: The Incredible Hulk

May 07, 2018 in Nitty Griddy, Marvel Monday

Trystan and I talk about The Incredible Hulk, the art of whisper talking, and dark matter. I also reveal my lack of insight regarding The Lord of the Rings, but I don't feel that bad about it.! Be sure to check out our completed grids, below.

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Marvel Mondays Grid - The Incredible Hulk Rachel-1.png
Marvel Mondays Grid - The Incredible Hulk Trystan-1.png
Tags: Tim Blake Nelson, bruce banner, William Hurt, Edward Norton, betty ross, stan lee, Louis Leterrier, MCU, Lou Ferrigno, Ty Burrell, Ed Norton, hulk, Zak Penn, Tim Roth, superhero, Marvel, Liv Tyler
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Nitty Griddy Reviews Episode 01 - Marvel Monday: Iron Man

April 30, 2018 in Nitty Griddy, Marvel Monday

Trystan and I talk about Iron Man, superhero genre development, and the birth of the MCU. I also refer to Captain Marvel as Ms. Marvel a few times -- whoops! Be sure to check out our completed grids, below.

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The Grid 2018 - Iron Man Rachel.png
The Grid 2018 - Iron Man Trystan.png
Tags: Iron Man, Marvel, MCU, superhero, robert downey jr., Jon Favreau, stan lee, Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow
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Nitty Griddy Reviews Podcast

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