We grade three Robert Eggers films through plot, performance, visuals, sound, and theme, tracing his consistent style and evolving ambition. From folk horror to maritime madness to a lavish vampire tale, we show how light, language, and restraint turn fear into art. • The Witch as blueprint for Eggers’ voice • Pride, paranoia, and repression fueling family collapse • Anya Taylor-Joy’s arc from shame to agency • Visual grammar: natural light, candle glow, symbolic frames&nbs...

We grade Jordan Peele’s three features in reverse, arguing where the films soar and where they sag. Sid questions coincidence-as-theme in Nope, Joe challenges the twist engine in Us, and Dom reframes Get Out through lived experience, shifting our scores in real time. • reverse-order review of Nope, Us, Get Out • plot logic versus genre tension • visual symbols that promise payoff • performances elevating thin characterization • sound design as mood and motif • the Sunken Place as a power met...

We grade three franchise starters with fresh eyes: Shrek as a sharp fairy-tale remix, Fast and Furious as a hollow time capsule, and Iron Man as a grounded superhero blueprint that still hums. Scores fly, jokes land, and “family” gets put on trial. • Shrek’s satire, performances, and message of self-acceptance • DreamWorks visual style and pop soundtrack “rub” • Fast and Furious plot holes and Point Break parallels • Bravado, sincerity, and the thin “family” theme • Time-capsule visuals, slo...

Three films step into the wild and reveal how spectacle, myth, and morality reshape “man vs. nature.” We laugh through Anaconda, revere The Revenant, and wrestle with The Edge, then lock in scores that show where craft and theme truly land. • accidental comedy value in Anaconda and why it still entertains • representation and seeing Ice Cube in a mainstream jungle adventure • CGI weight, POV choices, and ADR misses in Anaconda • Voight’s camp villainy vs J‑Lo’s underwritten lead • The Revena...

We grade Little Women, Lady Bird, and Barbie through story, performances, visuals, sound, and theme, tracing how Greta Gerwig turns ordinary moments into emotional gut-punches and playful spectacle. We argue about casting swings, cry over silence, and unpack why identity—not perfection—wins. • Little Women as a restrained, seasonal family epic • casting highs and lows, with accent talk and timeline stretch • visual portraiture, warm vs cold color logic, and the letter gaze • silence as sound...

We dive into the Western renaissance of 2007, exploring three masterpieces that revitalized the genre for modern audiences. These films showcase how the Western continued to evolve while maintaining its core DNA, delivering complex characters and powerful themes. • 3:10 to Yuma with guest Joe Belcastro, examining James Mangold's straightforward yet compelling remake that balances action with character development • Russell Crowe's performance as the charismatic outlaw Ben Wade creates the pe...

Guillermo del Toro's masterful storytelling transforms monsters into metaphors and fantasy into profound human commentary across three of his most celebrated films. • Pacific Rim elevates a "cheesy genre flick" about giant robots fighting monsters into something surprisingly entertaining • The non-Kaiju characters provide the most color and entertainment in Pacific Rim, with the cast knowing exactly what type of film they're in • Pan's Labyrinth achieves something truly unique as both expert...

Al the Movie Lion explores big toy movies with a panel of guests who bring their unique perspectives to three cinematic adaptations of beloved plastic franchises. • Jennifer Tyson shares her fraught relationship with Barbie dolls and analyzes how the movie addresses female empowerment • Analyzing Barbie's success at balancing humor with meaningful social commentary • Sid the Cinema Sloth critiques Transformers' focus on military spectacle over meaningful character development • Discussing ho...

We explore the revolutionary filmmaking of Spike Lee, diving deep into three of his most iconic films: "She's Gotta Have It," "Do the Right Thing," and "Malcolm X." • "She's Gotta Have It" (1986) launched Spike Lee's career with its experimental style and bold portrayal of female sexuality • Jimmy the Toucan joins to review Lee's debut, discussing its black and white aesthetic, jazz soundtrack, and themes of self-love • "Do the Right Thing" (1989) examines racial tensions in a Brooklyn neigh...

Friendship reveals itself in the most unexpected places—whether it's a chance encounter in a Tokyo hotel, a cross-country road trip with your dim-witted best friend, or the unlikeliest of bonds formed behind prison walls. In this episode, I dive deep into three cinematic masterpieces that showcase how human connection can transcend any circumstance. Sofia Coppola's "Lost in Translation" captures the ephemeral beauty of temporary friendship. My guest Lila the Sugar Glider and I explore how Bi...

🎬 Denis Villeneuve’s Dark Trilogy Explained | Prisoners, Sicario, & Arrival 🎥 Discover how Prisoners, Sicario, and Arrival form a gripping moral trilogy that redefined modern cinema. We break down the visuals, themes, and unforgettable performances that made Villeneuve a master storyteller. Support the show

From Character’s Welcome on YouTube the hilarious Justin Tyler scores 1970's Airplane, Writer/ Director/ Producer Lakeisha Jackson grades United 93, and Syd the Cinema Sloth scores 1997's Air Force One. Support the show

Hi I'm Albert and thought I'd take a second to introduce myself.