James L. Brooks continues as we look at the second film he directed, Broadcast News! This film also received a Best Picture nomination, and may be his most beloved film. Starring Holly Hunter, William Hurt, and Albert Brooks, this film centers on a love triangle that forms between three people working at a news network, while also featuring commentary on the state of journalism circa 1987 that has remained relevant over the years. Our hosts are both watching for the first time, and we break down the performances, the themes, and why this film is still so enjoyable almost 40 years later. Plus, Christian’s thoughts on Train Dreams and Scott’s thoughts on Predator: Badlands! What’s your favorite James L. Brooks film? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

We’ve turned the page on spooky season and it’s time for a new monthly theme. With his first film in 15 years releasing in theaters later this year, we’re taking a look at the films of James L. Brooks! To start, Terms of Endearment. This Best Picture-winning film netted Brooks 3 Oscars for his feature directorial debut, also earning Shirley MacClaine and Jack Nicholson awards for their performances. Our hosts at crossing a Best Picture blindspot off their watchlist as they watch one of the most famous mother-daughter films ever made. Plus, our thoughts on the worst box office weekend of 2025 so far! Do you think Debra Winger should have won the Oscar over MacClaine? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

It may be Halloween, but we’re taking a break from scary stories with Stephen King to say goodbye to a couple of Hollywood legends. Earlier this year, we lost both Robert Redford and Diane Keaton. Oscar winners and icons of the screen, the two of them entertained audiences and made great movies for decades. We discuss both of their careers before reviewing two notable films they starred in, each winning Best Picture: The Sting for Redford, Annie Hall for Keaton. Plus, Scott reveals what’s on the schedule for November. Do you have a favorite Robert Redford or Diane Keaton movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

Stephen King month draws to a close, and we’ve got a treat for you: a classic Cinema on Tap flight! After doing their homework on King adaptations, Christian and Scott pull together their “flight” of Stephen King movies, the four best entry points to his world on screen. They aren’t always the best movies, or even the best adaptations, but they give you an overall taste of what to expect from Stephen King. Listen along and let us know how we did at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com! With one Friday left in October, we won’t be doing another horror movie for our Halloween episode. Instead, we’re saying goodbye to a couple icons of cinema. Stay tuned to hear the plan for next week. Plus, our thoughts on Good Fortune, Tron: Ares, and other new releases.

In classic Stephen King fashion, we return to Maine to watch one of the most recent King adaptations: It! A smash hit from just a few years ago, It features Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise the Clown as he attempts to feed on the fear of children in the town of Derry, Maine. This is a personal favorite of Christian’s and a first time watch for Scott. The two discuss the great casting, the scariest sequences, and how this movie compares to other King adaptations. Plus, our thoughts on A House of Dynamite, Roofman, and other new releases! What’s your favorite Stephen King adaptation? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

Our trip to Stephen King country takes us on a trip out to snowy Colorado for a stay at The Overlook Hotel. It’s time for The Shining! Stanley Kubrick and co-writer Diane Johnson infamously made many changes in their adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, causing King to get so frustrated he wrote a new adaptation for TV himself. Yet, The Shining lives on, and is widely acclaimed as one of Kubrick’s best films. Friend of the show Joaquin Dominguez joins us to discuss one of his most-watched movies of all time as we check in with this influential horror classic. What’s your favorite Stephen King adaptation? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

From the works of one of America’s pre-eminent film directors to the works of one of its greatest…authors? October is here, and for our annual spooky season theme we’re watching film adaptations based on the writing of Stephen King! We’re starting back at the beginning with 1976’s Carrie. Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie broke the horror barrier, earning Oscar nominations for their performances in Brian de Palma’s adaptation of King’s debut novel. We take a moment to discuss King’s general career, before jumping into the movie. What’s your favorite Stephen King adaptation? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

One Battle After Another is finally here. PTA’s new film is being praised by some as not only one of the best films of the year but of the decade so far. After a monthlong look at his filmography, Christian and Scott dive in. Will the PTA fanboy and PTA skeptic find common ground? Or is another argument brewing? (Or, in classic Cinema on Tap fashion—both?). Plus, we reveal who won our summer box office game and gets to pick a bonus episode later this year. What’s your favorite PTA film? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

Paul Thomas Anderson month continues with his follow-up to last week’s film. After the critical acclaim There Will Be Blood received, anticipation for PTA’s next film was high. In 2012, he gave us The Master. The film was visually accomplished, being the first fiction film shot on 65mm since 1996, and thematically dense, bringing a renewed sense of control to PTA’s style. Received warmly by critics and at film festivals, the film has endured despite its box office failure. Featuring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Laura Dern, and the final PTA-Phillip Seymour Hoffman collaboration, The Master is a thorny, provocative drama. Scott has been looking forward to a rewatch, but Christian didn’t like it on his original viewing. Joined by old friend of the show Nick Vyner, we break down The Master and consider its place in PTA’s filmography. Plus, our thoughts on TIFF’s People’s Choice Award, Demon Slayer, The Long Walk, and the passing of Robert Redford. What’s your favorite PTA film? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

Paul Thomas Anderson month continues with the film that many consider to be his masterpiece: There Will Be Blood. PTA teamed up with DDL to tell the story of Daniel Plainview, a turn of the century oilman making his millions, perhaps selling his soul to do it. Acclaimed as one of the best films of 2007, of the 00s, and of the 21st century so far, There Will Be Blood has endured in the popular consciousness thanks to its glowing critical reception and its powerful lead performance (plus, some strangely memeable dialogue). With a film this acclaimed, will our hosts join the consensus? Or, is it time for a classic Cinema on Tap hot take? What do you think of TWBB? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

We went to Telluride! The 52nd annual Telluride Film Festival was an incredible experience. The festival had everything from Shakespeare to Springsteen. Christian and Scott are joined by new friend of the show Hunter Williams to discuss everything they saw, including new films from Chloe Zhao, Edward Berger, Guillermo del Toro, Yorgos Lanthimos, Kelly Reichardt, Richard Linklater, Noah Baumbach, and more.   Which Telluride movie are you most excited to see? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

September is here, and it brings one of 2025’s most anticipated films: Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. We’re using his new one as an excuse to take a look back through his filmography. First up: Boogie Nights! Anderson’s sophomore feature became his breakout, with solid box office returns and three Oscar nominations. Only 27 when the film released, Anderson’s youthful energy caused on-set clashes with star Burt Reynolds, but also led to a film bursting with energy, loaded with great performances, and a kinetic camera. No surprises here, as our hosts sung this film’s praises years ago during their Top 5 Movies of 1997 episode. On this rewatch, we talk about the movie’s production (there’s a notable casting what-if linking this to One Battle After Another) before discussing the film’s performances, story structure, and enduring appeal. What’s your favorite PTA movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

It’s finally time for Lindsay and Jamie to team up! With Freakier Friday in theaters, it’s time to take a look at their original team-up, 2003’s Freaky Friday remake, and the sequel that reunites the two actors after 22 years. Nostalgia for the original movie is strong, but does it hold up? And, is the new film a worthy legacy-quel? Stay tuned for our thoughts! Plus, we rank their performances from this month and discuss some other movies we watched as homework this month. What’s your favorite Lindsay Lohan or Jamie Lee Curtis movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

It’s probably the best week we’ve got for our Lindsay Lohan/Jamie Lee Curtis month, as we dive into two of the biggest hits of their respective careers: True Lies and Mean Girls. For True Lies, James Cameron re-teamed with Arnold Schwarzenegger to direct the first $100 million movie, casting Arnie as a spy leading a double life and Jamie Lee as his wife who gets involved in a dangerous adventure of her own. For Mean Girls, Lindsay Lohan broke away from her Disney roots to star in the now iconic high school comedy, co-starring Rachel McAdams as ice queen Regina George. Our hosts dive deep into each movie (and Christian randomly gives the entire plot of a different Lindsay Lohan movie?) as we consider which is the better film overall, and which was more important for each actor’s career. What’s your favorite Lindsay Lohan or Jamie Lee Curtis movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

Lindsay Lohan & Jamie Lee Curtis month continues as we take a look at two big hits from the primes of their respective careers: Herbie: Fully Loaded and A Fish Called Wanda! For Herbie, Disney relied on Lindsay to revive a dormant franchise, teaming her up with Michael Keaton, Justin Long, and Matt Dillon. Although it received mixed reviews, the film was a box office success and one of the final hits of Lohan’s career. Our hosts break down whether it’s deserving of Millennial classic status, or if it should be left behind. For Wanda, Curtis parlayed her BAFTA-winning breakout in Trading Places to a role in the John Cleese-penned crime comedy. The film wasn’t only a smash hit, becoming the 7th highest grossing film of 1988, but received 3 Oscar nominations, with Kevin Kline winning for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. We discuss our favorite scenes and performances of one of the funniest movies we’ve ever covered on the show. What’s your favorite Jamie Lee Curtis movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

August is here, and we’re kicking off a new month on the show. In honor of Freakier Friday, we’re taking a month to look at the careers of Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis! While their paths only crossed with their body-swapping comedy, they both starred in plenty of beloved films. This week, we’re talking about Lohan’s debut and Curtis’ return to a beloved franchise. The Parent Trap introduced the world to Lindsay Lohan and convinced millions of kids that there were actually two of her. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later saw Jamie Lee Curtis return to play Laurie Strode for the first time since Halloween II, and also introduced the world to Josh Hartnett. With a family comedy and a late 90s slasher on the docket today, it’s a bit of a vibes mismatch but still one of our most fun episodes in a while. Stay tuned to hear our reviews of both films, which one was more important for their respective stars, and break down the insane narratives of both. Do you have a favorite Lindsay Lohan or Jamie Lee Curtis movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

Superman month draws to a close as we finally discuss James Gunn’s brand new relaunch of the DCU. David Corenswet is our new Clark Kent/Superman, and Gunn’s film begins a few years into his superhero (sorry, *Metahuman*) career. Superman goes through an identity crisis while trying to stop a war and manage his relationship with Lois Land. The supporting cast is led by Rachel Brosnahan as Lois and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. How does the new film compare to prior entires? Is it a success like the original film, or is it another misfire? Listen in to found out what our hosts think. Plus, we grade every Superman movie and make a tier list! What’s your favorite Superman movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

Brace yourselves, everyone. It’s Zack Snyder time. Our Superman retrospective takes us to Man of Steel. Henry Cavill’s first outing as Superman has proven divisive over the years. Some people criticize it for a gritty, overly serious tone, while others credit it with a challenging but original take on the character, with expanded mythology to boot. To break it down, we welcome on Tailon Russell of The Comic Panel Podcast to discuss Cavill and Amy Adams, Snyder’s direction, and whether or not they should have destroyed so many buildings. What do you think about Man of Steel? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com

Our month long look at Superman on screen continues. After the failure of Superman IV: Quest for Peace, Warner Brothers worked with half of Hollywood trying to reboot the franchise throughout the 90s and early 00s. Finally, they turned to X-Men director Bryan Singer, resulting in 2006’s Superman Returns. Superman Returns introduced the world to Brandon Routh, another newcomer taking on the role of Clark Kent. Pitched as an “homage sequel” to Superman and Superman II, the film begins with Superman returning to Earth after a 5-year long search for any remnant of Krypton. Unfortunately for him, Lex Luthor is cooking up a new evil plan. Even worse? Lois Lane is engaged to someone else! Singer’s film was both criticized and praised for an approach that gave greater focus to the romantic relationship between Superman & Lois as opposed to frequent action sequences. Our hosts break down whether or not this approach works, discuss Routh’s performance, and consider this film’s place in the superhero canon. Plus, our new social media manager Chelsie Padilla joins at the end of the show to share her thoughts on her favorite Superman film. Plus, our quick thoughts on F1, Elio, and Karate Kid: Legends! Who’s your favorite Superman actor? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com!

Cinema on Tap is BACK! Happy 4th of July to our fellow Americans out there. In recognition of the holiday (and an upcoming reboot), we’re starting with as iconic an American hero as there is: Superman! First up is Christopher Reeve. The Richard Donner-directed 1978 film launched Reeve’s career and started a cinematic superhero craze. Our hosts break down Clark Kent’s history on screen before laughing their way through this film’s wild production history. We also give our thoughts on the film and how it holds up almost 50 years later. Plus, quick thoughts on some June movies we missed and an update on the summer box office game. What’s your favorite Superman movie? Let us know at cinemaontappodcast@gmail.com