This week, we break down Magazine Dreams (2023), the unsettling and often frustrating indie drama about a troubled Black bodybuilder chasing aesthetic greatness while unraveling under mounting internal and external pressures. We explore the film’s take on masculinity, wellness, and image-obsessed culture, as well as how Jonathan Majors’ real-life domestic violence case—he was found guilty on two misdemeanor charges—reframes his performance. We also examine the film’s quiet, complicated rollout and how Majors’ off-screen scandal complicates its reception and legacy.We also dig into the film’s portrayal of performance culture, the physical extremes of bodybuilding, and its place in a long line of psychologically dark character studies, questioning whether it adds anything new to the genre.Also: gym alienation, performance-enhancing identity, and what happens when self-improvement turns into self-erasure.
--------
1:21:44
*Substack Preview* 168. Jabón Jabón
Subscribe to Dewy Dudes on Substack at dewydudes.com to hear this full hour-long episode. We chat about Bathhouse’s alleged UTI problem, fresas in NYC, acid reflux, swaggy ENT doctors, allowing yourself an “hour in the yard,” nasal saline spray, avoiding microplastics, “regulars” etiquette in the hospitality industry, Austin Abrams going full frat demon in The Line (2023) and much more. This episode was recorded March 31. We know more updates have come out about Bathhouse since then.
--------
4:55
*Substack Preview* 167. Saratoga Syndrome
Subscribe to Dewy Dudes on Substack at dewydudes.com to hear this full hour-long episode. This week, we dive deep into ice bowls of Saratoga, giving our two cents on the hostage-taped wellness influencer who became last week’s character of the week with his viral video of his five-hour morning routine. We also talk PRP hair regrowth, gym strength humiliation, Channing Tatum’s body transformation, gray hair patches and how a Sofie Pavitt facial momentarily restored Emilio’s will to live.Plus: how to Photoshop your way into signing a NYC lease (parody), trimming your eyelashes to look more masculine, death chat via White Lotus, Bryan Johnson’s alleged naked office antics, Big Dumb Baby and much more.
--------
6:59
166. Huffers at Heart with Language Arts
This week, we chat with writers Sophia June and Layla Halabian, co-founders of Language Arts, a Substack spotlighting indie and emerging literature, about the potential for Project X-inspired literary keggers, the masochism of Biologique Recherche’s Masque Vivant and the beauty of looking a little sleepy.We also get into anti-Kindle arguments, men reading Sally Rooney in public, Great Jones Spa, P50 1970 nostalgia, eating your skincare via Jell-O, Boston Rob, acupuncture-induced existential clarity, the misunderstood brilliance of pigeons, tretinoin purges, sauna etiquette and much, much more.
--------
1:29:39
165. Lights, Camera, Pause with Delia Cai
This week, we chat with writer and Substack luminary Delia Cai, creator of Deez Links and managing editor at Magasin, about the balancing act of freelancing, the ritual of journaling and the illusion of control in modern life.We also get into TMJ struggles, buccal massages, Charles Melton, Gen Z fumbling with old-school tech, Eucerin sunscreen from Berlin, Sunday Riley’s Good Genes, the millennial pause, mobility work in your 30s, the quiet confidence of lifting weights, men awkwardly infiltrating Pilates classes and much, much more.
Dewy Dudes is a culture and lifestyle commentary show in which personal care is the conduit to conversation. Each week, co-hosts Evan Shinn and Emilio Quezada-Ibañez journey through the products, procedures and trends shaping the wellness and beauty industries with guests, all from a very-online, NYC-based male perspective.
USA