Tanya Ballard Brown

It's been a week, right? Riots in London, madness in the markets - is it just me, or does it suddenly feel like Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a documentary? So naturally, we lead off with a nuanced, thoughtful exploration of the topic "We are hosed!" And the related discussion question: "What does pop culture tell us about how to survive dramatic upheaval?" Stephen Thompson, of course, goes right for the survivalist lessons available in zombie movies and the literary oeuvre of Max Brooks, while Barrie Hardymon - who's sitting in for Linda Holmes again this week - assesses the likely nutritional value of various members of the team. Glen Weldon is sunning himself on a tropical beach this week, so we're joined once again by Tanya Ballard Brown, who helps us explore a lesson or two from less thoroughly apocalyptic films. (Warning: Don't rain on her parade, people.) And during a discussion of free or super-cheap ways to entertain yourself In These Economic Times, we have a little spontaneous musical moment. For which we heartily apologize.