Episode Details

Movies & Shows Mentioned in This Episode

* The Net (1995) - Sandra Bullock vs. the Internet.

* Tin Cup (1996) - Rene Russo and Kevin Costner rom-com.

* Jerry Maguire (1996) - Cuba Gooding Jr.’s breakout role.

* Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) - The movie with Donald Sutherland as the Watcher.

* American Beauty (1999) - Kevin Spacey.

* The Usual Suspects (1995) - Kevin Spacey.

* House of Cards (2013–2018) - Kevin Spacey (TV Series).

* Ocean’s Eleven (2001) - George Clooney.

* Up in the Air (2009) - George Clooney firing people.

* The NeverEnding Story (1984) - Directed by Wolfgang Petersen.

* Air Force One (1997) - Directed by Wolfgang Petersen.

* The Perfect Storm (2000) - Directed by Wolfgang Petersen.

* Troy (2004) - Directed by Wolfgang Petersen.

* In the Line of Fire (1993) - Directed by Wolfgang Petersen.

* Jurassic Park (1993) - Referenced for the “hot scientist” vibe.

* Contagion (2011) - The more realistic pandemic movie (up next!).

* Station Eleven (2021) - The TV series adaptation (and book).

Sarah: Hello, this is Sarah Stewart-Holland.

Laura: I’m Laura Tremaine. Welcome to Slow Read, where we tackle the books you’ve always wanted to read at a pace you can handle.

Sarah: Today is a little bonus episode. When we started, the movie Outbreak came up because I was sort of obsessed with it at the time. And we said we’re going to rewatch Outbreak and talk about it. So that’s what we’re going to do today.

Laura: I mean, I have lots to say. I would like you to know that my first note is: Kevin Spacey. Ew. That’s the first thing I wrote.

Sarah: My first note is: That type of monkey is not actually from Africa.

Laura: Well, listen, we’re playing real fast and loose because my second thing was the witch doctor. We start in Africa several years ago and we’re rolling with some real deep stereotypes here.

Sarah: Yeah, I just don’t feel like this kind of movie would get made today. Not the overall plot of a pandemic, but the African stuff was way “other.” There were overly wise Africans, overly uncivilized Africans. It was just a total racial component that was not a flattering portrayal. Even the fact that we’re just saying “