Thank God For Movies

SHOW NOTES: 00:00:00 – Intro: Classic Jon/Will banter 00:07:50 – Tribute: The life and career of Catherine O'Hara 00:19:30 – Review: Send Help This week on Thank God for Movies, Jon Negroni and Will Ash review Send Help, the newest film directed by Sam Raimi. Starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, critics have been vomiting their praise for this one. But will we be thanking god for this movie? Guess you'll have to tune in to find out. We also kick off the show with a tribute to the life and career of the legendary Catherine O'Hara, who sadly passed away on January 30 of this year. Also. The other week, we asked all you listeners to name our new logo of the “reel on fire.” We narrowed it down a bit, and we want you all to help us make the final decision. Email us (cinemaholicspodcast@gmail.com) with your ranking of the names, or find our poll on our Facebook page to see the contenders. THE CONTENDERS: The Eternal Projection – Eleanor P. Reelie Tho – FilmGoblin HotSpool – Cryptid Cinemaholics – Sarah J. Reel Hot Take – Mike D. Fire and Splice – ScorseseDidNothing Wrong Hot Reel – Josh P. Hotger Reelbert – PleaseStopNamingThings Reel World Consequences – Priya N. A Reel Pain – Kevin The Projection Demon – NightScreen Movies – Thisisthebestname Little ASHton – Ashley B. The Snyder Cut – Josh M. Spicy Take – Jasmine R. Hotshot – Alex D. Fire Wheel Steve – Olivia T. Flamin’ Hot Criterio – Madison G. LINKS: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a TGFM channel here. Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

SHOW NOTES: 00:00:00 – Logo competition: We discuss the contenders! 00:09:30 – Review: The Rip 00:44:55 – Review: The Testament of Ann Lee This week on Thank God for Movies, Jon Negroni and Will Ash discuss the Netflix film The Rip, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Joe Carnahan directed and wrote the film. Next, we tackle The Testament of Ann Lee starring Amanda Seyfried. Directed by Mona Fastvold and co-written by Brady Corbet, it's a quasi-musical about the founding of the Shakers movement. Why didn't this movie get any Oscar attention? Let's discuss! Also. Last week, we asked all you listeners to name our new logo of the "reel on fire." We narrowed it down a bit, and we want you all to help us make the final decision. Email us (cinemaholicspodcast@gmail.com) with your ranking of the names, or find our poll on our Facebook page to see the contenders. THE CONTENDERS: The Eternal Projection - Eleanor P. Reelie Tho - FilmGoblin HotSpool - Cryptid Cinemaholics - Sarah J. Reel Hot Take - Mike D. Fire and Splice - ScorseseDidNothing Wrong Hot Reel - Josh P. Hotger Reelbert - PleaseStopNamingThings Reel World Consequences - Priya N. A Reel Pain - Kevin The Projection Demon - NightScreen Movies - Thisisthebestname Little ASHton - Ashley B. The Snyder Cut - Josh M. Spicy Take - Jasmine R. Hotshot - Alex D. Fire Wheel Steve - Olivia T. Flamin' Hot Criterio - Madison G. LINKS: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a TGFM channel here. Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

This week on Thank God For Movies, Jon and Will review Dead Man's Wire (directed by Gus Van Sant) and No Other Choice (directed by Park Chan-wook). We also kick things off with a game of Film Roulette, covering the highest-grossing films of 2025 at the domestic box office. We also begin the show discussing the transition to our new name. And we put a big question to all you listeners. What should we name our new flaming film reel character? Email your suggestions for a possible prize(?) to cinemaholicspodcast@gmail.com. And special thanks to listener Jason Leopard for creating our new theme music! Show Notes: 00:00:00 – Film Roulette: The Highest-Grossing Films of 2025 Domestically 00:22:55 – Review: Dead Man's Wire 00:51:20 – Review: No Other Choice Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a TGFM channel here. Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

This week on Cinemaholics, Jon and Will review Is This Thing On? This is the third film directed by Bradley Cooper, starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern. They also discuss The Plague, an intriguing feature debut from writer-director Charlie Polinger that is one of Jon's favorite movies of the year. In addition to a game of Film Roulette, the show opens with a big announcement about the name "Cinemaholics" changing moving forward, so definitely don't miss out on that. Show Notes: 00:00:00 – Intro: A pretty big announcement! 00:13:05 – Film Roulette: I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not, Primate, Palestine 36, The Housemaid, Greenland 2, It's Never Over Jeff Buckley, Dead Man's Wire, Ne Zha 2, Eddington, David 00:26:05 – Review: Is This Thing On? 01:01:35 – Review: The Plague Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

This week on Cinemaholics, Jon and Will review Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet and directed and co-written by Josh Safdie. They also play a game of Film Roulette, doing a rapid lightning round of reviews for some other recent (and not-so-recent) movies this past year. Show Notes: 00:00:00 – Film Roulette:Avatar: Fire and Ash, The Testament of Ann Lee, Stranger Things 5, Zootopia 2, The Ugly Stepsister, Ella McCay, Kpop Demon Hunters, Arco, The Mastermind, Sorry Baby, Companion, The Smashing Machine, Hedda, Lilo & Stitch, History of Sound 00:29:40 – Review: Marty Supreme Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Show Notes: 00:00:00 – Tribute to Rob Reiner 00:26:55 – Review: Hamnet 01:00:00 – Review: Rental Family This week on Cinemaholics, Jon and Will review Hamnet, the new drama from Chloé Zhao, adapting Maggie O’Farrell’s novel of the same name and starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. We then discuss Rental Family from director HIKARI, which stars Brendan Fraser and Akira Emoto. And we open the show with a tribute to Rob Reiner where we discuss his filmmaking career and specific contributions to cinema as both a director and actor over the decades. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Show Notes: 00:00:00 – CCA Nominations 00:08:00 – Film Roulette: Sirat, The Flintstones (1994), Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, Better Man, Blue Moon, The Running Man, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Predator: Killer of Killers, Shelby Oaks, Speed Racer, Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair 00:29:30 – Review: The Voice of Hind Rajab 00:49:20 – Review: Jay Kelly 01:13:50 – Review: It Was Just an Accident This week on Cinemaholics, Jon and Will review The Voice of Hind Rajab, a harrowing new drama from Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania (Four Daughters). Afterward, we take a look at Jay Kelly, the latest comedy-drama from Noah Baumbach and starring a huge star-lit cast featuring George Clooney, Adam Sandler, and plenty more. And our last review is of It Was Just an Accident, the remarkable new thriller from Jafar Panahi that won the Palme d'Or at this years Cannes Film Festival and is topping plenty "best of the year" lists. We open up the show with a quick discussion of some of the Critics Choice Association nominations for Best Picture then swing right into Film Roulette. That's the game where we do a lightning round of new and old films for the other person to react to with only a sentence (or paragraph). Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Show Notes: 00:00:00 – Film Roulette: Jay Kelly, Wicked: For Good, Bugonia, One Battle After Another, The Perfect Neighbor, After the Hunt, If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, Eternity, Hamnet, Zootopia 2, Rental Family, Rebuilding, Peter Hujar's Day, Die My Love, Predator: Badlands, Avatar: Fire and Ash, The Baltimorons, The Testament of Ann Lee 00:23:25 – Review: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery 00:44:25 – Review: Train Dreams 01:04:40 – Review: Sentimental Value This week, Jon and Will review Wake Up Dead Man, the newest "Knives Out" mystery from Rian Johnson. They also take a look at Train Dreams, directed by Cliff Bentley and starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones. And then they finish out the show with a review of Sentimental Value, the latest from Joachim Trier and starring Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård. And that's not all. Because it's been quite some time since the Cinemaholics had a chance to talk film (sorry for the hiatus!) Jon introduced a brand new game called Film Roulette. Essentially we do a rapid-fire set of reactions to a whole bunch of movies that have either come out recently or are in the awards conversation more broadly.   Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Is film criticism dead? On this week’s episode of Cinemaholics, Jon Negroni and Will Ashton kick things off with a timely conversation about the state of movie reviews in a post-Twitter world. With major papers shedding critics and platforms like Substack taking their place, what does the future hold for film discourse? Then, the guys dig into Weapons, the sophomore horror feature from Barbarian director Zach Cregger. Starring Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, and Benedict Wong, Weapons is an ambitious suburban nightmare told in fragmented perspectives and genre-defying set pieces. Jon and Will unpack the film’s surprising themes, multi-chapter structure, and incredible practical effects. Is Weapons a worthy follow-up to Barbarian? Or does it get lost in its own metaphorical maze? Plus, we read some Letterboxd reviews, play the Rotten Tomatoes game, and share which August films we’re most excited to see next. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Marvel’s First Family is back for a fourth time. On this week’s episode of Cinemaholics, Jon Negroni and Will Ashton unpack The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the latest attempt to reboot Marvel’s unluckiest franchise. With Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach suiting up for a 60s-inspired, retro-futurist take, director Matt Shakman (WandaVision) brings serious style to a film that’s long on vibes but maybe short on soul. We break down the film’s visual direction, ensemble performances, and the Galactus-sized question at its core: what is the point of another reboot? Plus, we debate the movie’s oddly hollow emotional arc, its meta-commentary on Marvel fatigue, and how it stacks up against the previous iterations of the Fantastic Four. Is this a first step in the right direction or another cosmic trip into irrelevance? Tune in to find out! Links: Read Jon’s written review of the film here! Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Jon Negroni and Will Ashton break down Superman, the bold new reboot from DC Studios and director James Gunn. Starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, the film launches the first chapter of Gunn’s DCU with a surprising blend of warmth, wit, and world-building. Jon and Will unpack the movie’s heartfelt tone, its standout performances, and whether Gunn’s vision successfully updates Superman for a new generation. They debate the film’s commentary, its ambitious ensemble of DC characters, and how Superman balances sincerity with satire in a cinematic landscape that’s maybe forgotten how to hope. Links: Read Jon’s written review of the film here! Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Special guest Mike Overhulse of the Mad Men Men podcast joins Jon Negroni and Will Ashton to break down Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning, the latest (and possibly final?) installment in the long-running spy franchise starring Tom Cruise as the ever-unbreakable Ethan Hunt. Directed once again by Christopher McQuarrie, the film sends the IMF team on a high-octane collision course with a rogue AI known as The Entity, in what may be the most self-aware entry in the series to date. Jon, Will, and Mike unpack the film’s jaw-dropping action sequences, its tangled narrative web, and how Final Reckoning reflects a growing anxiety in Hollywood around digital threats both on and off the screen. They debate the movie’s emotional stakes, its increasingly meta commentary on Cruise’s career, and whether this half of the story sticks the landing as a standalone film.   Links: Read Jon's critic review of the film here! Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Will Ashton returns with a solo Instant Take on Another Simple Favor, the Amazon Prime sequel to Paul Feig’s 2018 suburban noir comedy-thriller A Simple Favor. With Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively reprising their roles, this follow-up heads to Italy for a destination wedding filled with secrets, frenemy tension, and stylish intrigue. Will breaks down what works—and what fizzles—in this second helping. Despite a few fun twists and an appealing setting in Capri, the film struggles to recapture the charm of the original. Kendrick’s character lacks clear evolution, while Lively’s return, though enjoyable, can’t quite carry the film through its sillier and more uneven second half. With vibes that feel more White Lotus than Gone Girl, Another Simple Favor tries to balance camp, crime, and couture. Will questions whether this sequel really needed to exist at all, comparing it to other lackluster follow-ups (The Whole Ten Yards, anyone?) that get the gang back together but forget the plot. If you were a fan of the first film, there are still some moments of cheeky fun—like a memorable truth serum scene—but overall, this one might leave you regretting asking for more. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Will Ashton returns with another Instant Take, this time tackling The Amateur, a new action-thriller starring Rami Malek (Mr. Robot, Bohemian Rhapsody) as a surveillance tech expert turned reluctant vigilante. With a vibe that borrows from Death Wish and Jason Bourne, the film delivers slick set pieces, familiar genre beats, and a central performance that’s more restrained than revolutionary. Will explores how The Amateur flirts with deeper character nuance, particularly in its depiction of Malek’s potentially autistic-coded lead. Though the film never explicitly confirms it, the character’s traits raise questions about representation in action movies and whether the film embraces or falls back on tired tropes. Alongside Malek, the film features a solid supporting cast: Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Laurence Fishburne, John Bernthal, Holt McCallany (Mindhunter), and Julianne Nicholson. Some standout moments include inventive “trap-like” set pieces and moody, high-rise shootouts that pop in premium formats. But Will questions if that’s enough to elevate an otherwise middle-of-the-road revenge thriller. Will Ashton returns with another Instant Take, this time tackling The Amateur, a new action-thriller starring Rami Malek (Mr. Robot, Bohemian Rhapsody) as a surveillance tech expert turned reluctant vigilante. With a vibe that borrows from Death Wish and Jason Bourne, the film delivers slick set pieces, familiar genre beats, and a central performance that’s more restrained than revolutionary. Will explores how The Amateur flirts with deeper character nuance, particularly in its depiction of Malek’s potentially autistic-coded lead. Though the film never explicitly confirms it, the character’s traits raise questions about representation in action movies and whether the film embraces or falls back on tired tropes. Alongside Malek, the film features a solid supporting cast: Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Laurence Fishburne, John Bernthal, Holt McCallany (Mindhunter), and Julianne Nicholson. Some standout moments include inventive “trap-like” set pieces and moody, high-rise shootouts that pop in premium formats. But Will questions if that’s enough to elevate an otherwise middle-of-the-road revenge thriller. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram. Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Will Ashton is back with a solo Instant Take on Novocaine, the action-comedy-romance hybrid starring Jack Quaid (The Boys) as a pain-insensitive bank employee who becomes an unlikely action hero. Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen (Villains), this film surprised Will with its surprising charm. But also its creative premise, and solid central performances, too. Based on the real-life condition CIP (congenital insensitivity to pain), Novocaine walks a tonal tightrope between over-the-top violence and sincere character development. Will shares why Jack Quaid’s “young Tom Hanks” energy works so well here. Especially alongside Amber Midthunder (Prey), and how the film balances disability representation with fun genre thrills. Will also unpacks some of the film’s weaknesses, including uneven comedy, some clunky reveals, and a few undercooked side characters. But overall, this one came in above expectations and might just be Jack Quaid’s best leading role to date. Also starring Ray Nicholson, Betty Gabriel (Get Out), and Matt Walsh, Novocaine delivers quirky action, gory visuals, and a lot of heart…even if it sometimes plays it too safe. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

In this spoiler-free instant take, Will Ashton jumps on the mic solo to give you his first impressions of Black Bag, the sleek and sizzling new spy thriller from director Steven Soderbergh. With a star-studded cast led by Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender, Black Bag is a taut, high-style espionage caper that calls back to the classy, grown-up thrillers of yesteryear. Will dives into what makes this film click.Iits sophisticated style, whip-smart screenplay (co-written by Soderbergh collaborator David Koepp), and a third act that actually sticks the landing. He compares it to classics like Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Out of Sight, highlighting how Soderbergh leans into his signature charm, sexiness, and cinematic craftsmanship. Other stars include Naomi Harris, Pierce Brosnan, Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, and Marisa Abela. All of whom get their moment to shine. Will also touches on Fassbender’s continued hot streak post-The Killer. Plus, why Blanchett is perfectly matched for this kind of layered, stylish fare. Clocking in at a brisk 95 minutes, Black Bag is a sharp and satisfying return to form. It's equally suited for a theater outing or a high-quality night in. Listen in for Will’s take on where Black Bag ranks among Soderbergh’s post-retirement filmography. And why this might be one of his most entertaining efforts in years. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

In this week’s episode, Jon Negroni and Will Ashton take a deep dive into Nickel Boys, the latest film from director RaMell Ross (Hale County This Morning, This Evening). An adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the film follows two Black teenagers trapped in the harrowing realities of Nickel Academy, a reform school in 1960s Florida that crushes hope as efficiently as it enforces silence. With Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson leading the cast and a uniquely immersive first-person perspective, Nickel Boys has drawn a lot of critical acclaim, but does it earn its accolades? Jon and Will unpack the film’s daring cinematography, its unconventional narrative structure, and Ross’s refusal to hold the audience’s hand. They debate the film’s Oscar prospects, its underwhelming box office reception, and why its use of silence might be its most powerful weapon. Plus, how does Nickel Boys fit into the tradition of documentary filmmakers transitioning into narrative storytelling? And yes, Will finds a way to compare it to The Tree of Life, because of course he does. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Today on Cinemaholics, we’re joined by two hilarious and incredibly talented filmmakers/actors, Harrison Xu and Ivan Leung, to talk about their new indie film, Extremely Unique Dynamic. This queer Asian meta stoner coming-of-age dramedy takes storytelling to a whole new level—it’s a movie about two guys making a movie about two guys making a movie. Yes, it’s as wonderfully chaotic as it sounds. Extremely Unique Dynamic has been making waves, playing at over 25 film festivals and breaking box office records during its LA theatrical run. In this episode, Harrison and Ivan share the wild journey of creating a deeply personal, yet entirely universal story that subverts stoner comedy tropes while addressing themes of representation, identity, and authenticity. We dive into everything—how they infused the film with their real-life personalities, their unexpected success at festivals, and even a bit of party bus pole-dancing backstory. Along the way, we also discuss pop-punk soundtracks, karaoke go-tos, and what they hope this movie will mean 50 years from now. Plus, we get into some lighter moments, including their favorite reality TV shows, nostalgic movie picks, and the unexpected challenges of doing Q&As. Whether you’re a fan of stoner comedies, indie filmmaking, or unique dynamics (see what we did there?), this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Catch Extremely Unique Dynamics at upcoming screenings in LA, San Francisco, New York, and even Vancouver, with VOD release just around the corner. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Today on Cinemaholics, we’re sitting down with director Tim Fehlbaum and actor John Magaro to talk about their new film, September 5. This gripping drama takes us behind the scenes of the 1972 Munich Olympics, where the ABC newsroom was thrust into the chaos of broadcasting one of the first live terrorist attacks. It’s a high-stakes story about media ethics, personal decisions, and the power of storytelling that feels just as relevant today as it was back then. With Tim’s sharp direction and John’s striking performance, September 5 premiered at Venice to rave reviews and has already sparked some big conversations about how we navigate the intersection of truth, accountability, and media. We’re diving into all of it—how they approached such a delicate story, the challenges they faced, and why this film resonates so deeply right now. You can also read or listen to our podcast review of the film with special guest Ema Sasic right here. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

In this special spoiler-free instant take, host Will Ashton delves into Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the latest installment in the high-speed franchise. He explores the film's dynamic action sequences, the evolving camaraderie among Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, and the introduction of Shadow the Hedgehog. Will also examines the performances of returning cast members Ben Schwartz and Idris Elba, as well as the film's vibrant visual effects and engaging storyline. Additionally, he reflects on how Sonic the Hedgehog 3 contributes to the expanding Sonic cinematic universe and what fans and skeptics alike might expect. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 premiered in theaters on December 20, 2024, distributed by Paramount Pictures, with a runtime of 110 minutes. The film features a star-studded cast, including Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Krysten Ritter, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, and Keanu Reeves. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.  

In this week's episode, Jon Negroni and Will Ashton dive deep into A Complete Unknown, the latest biopic from director James Mangold (Logan, Walk the Line). The film, starring Timothée Chalamet as the iconic Bob Dylan, chronicles the enigmatic artist’s rise to fame during the transformative folk scene of the 1960s. With Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro rounding out the cast, and a runtime of 140 minutes, the movie captures Dylan’s transition from a folk music darling to a rock 'n' roll revolutionary. Jon and Will discuss Mangold’s directorial approach, Chalamet’s performance as the elusive Dylan, and the narrative’s attempt to balance the artist’s enigmatic persona with a traditional biopic structure. They also highlight the supporting cast, including Norton’s standout role and Boyd Holbrook’s intriguing portrayal of Johnny Cash. Is A Complete Unknowna respectful ode to Dylan’s artistry, or does it play it too safe? Tune in as the hosts break it all down, from the film’s subtle nods to Dylan’s legacy to its reception among fans and critics alike. Searchlight Pictures released A Complete Unknown in U.S. theaters on December 25, 2024. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

  In this special instant take, Will Ashton dives into Robert Eggers' latest film, Nosferatu, unpacking its deep ties to the 1922 horror classic and its fresh take on the Dracula mythos. He breaks down Eggers' distinct artistic style, highlights standout performances from Willem Dafoe and Bill Skarsgård, and praises the film's jaw-dropping production design and cinematography. Will also reflects on how Nosferatu fits into the modern horror landscape, sharing why it’s such an exciting year-end release that horror fans won’t want to miss. Nosferatu opened in theaters on December 25 through Focus Features and has a runtime of 132 minutes. The rest of the cast includes Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, and Simon McBurney. More about Nosferatu: Set in 19th-century Europe, Nosferatu follows Thomas Hutter, a real estate agent who heads to the eerie, isolated estate of Count Orlok to close a business deal. Sounds straightforward, right? Not quite. Things take a dark and sinister turn when Hutter realizes Orlok is no ordinary recluse: he’s a full-on vampire with a thirst for blood and an unsettling interest in Hutter’s wife, Ellen. As the danger escalates and Orlok’s shadow creeps closer to the village, the story unfolds into a chilling mix of gothic horror, psychological tension, and devastating stakes. Robert Eggers brings his trademark grit and authenticity to this retelling, delivering a film that feels both classic and refreshingly new. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Today on Cinemaholics, Will Ashton gives his spoiler-free instant take of A Complete Unknown, the latest biographical drama from director James Mangold. Starring Timothée Chalamet as a young Bob Dylan, the film chronicles Dylan's rise in the New York folk scene of the early 1960s, culminating in his revolutionary performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. With a screenplay co-written by Mangold and Jay Cocks, and a stellar supporting cast including Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, and Monica Barbaro, A Complete Unknown is already earning high praise as one of the best films of 2024. Tune in for Will’s thoughts on Chalamet’s portrayal of Dylan, the film’s nostalgic vibe, and if it'll be a must-watch this holiday season. Searchlight Pictures will release A Complete Unknown in select U.S. theaters on December 25, 2024. More about A Complete Unknown: New York, 1961. Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota named Bob Dylan arrives with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. He forges intimate relationships with music icons of Greenwich Village on his meteoric rise, culminating in a groundbreaking and controversial performance that reverberates worldwide. Timothée Chalamet stars and sings as Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, the electric true story behind the rise of one of the most iconic singer-songwriters in history.   The film also stars Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash and Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Breaking news! This week on Cinemaholics, Special guest Ema Sasic joins me (Jon Negroni) to dissect September 5, a gripping new thriller from director Tim Fehlbaum (The Colony). The film takes us back to the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, where sports coverage took an unprecedented turn into live, global news reporting during one of the most tragic and pivotal events in history. Together, we break down the film’s high-tension pacing and commentary on media ethics. Plus, we talk awards potential and about the standout performances from John Magaro, Peter Sarsgaard, Leonie Benesch, and more. You can also read an edited transcript of our conversation right here. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Holy smokes! This week on Cinemaholics, Jon Negroni and Will Ashton enter the sacred halls of Conclave, the latest thriller from Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front). Set against the backdrop of a Vatican papal election, the film dives into the labyrinth of faith, power, and political intrigue. We discuss Ralph Fiennes’ captivating performance as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, the high-stakes drama of electing a new pope, and the surprising humor that keeps the tension from boiling over. Plus, we unpack the film’s visual grandeur, that audacious ending twist, and where it fits in the awards season race…You can read an edited transcript of our conversation right here. Conclave was directed by Edward Berger and is based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris. The cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini, with cinematography by Stéphane Fontaine (Jackie). Premiering in limited release on October 25, 2024 through Focus Features and has a runtime of 120 minutes. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Today on Cinemaholics, Will Ashton delivers a short, spoiler-free review of Maria, Angelina Jolie's latest lead performance in a new biographical drama from director Pablo Larraín about legendary opera singer Maria Callas in 1970s Paris. More information about Maria: Angelina Jolie stars as Maria Callas, the iconic soprano, in Pablo Larraín’s Maria. This moving drama reimagines the legendary singer’s final days in Paris as she reflects on her dazzling but turbulent life in the spotlight. Directed by the acclaimed Pablo Larraín (Jackie, Spencer), with a screenplay by Steven Knight, the film offers an intimate look at the diva’s identity, struggles, and overall legacy. The film also features Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, and Kodi Smit-McPhee and is the final entry in Larraín's trilogy about iconic 20th-century women, following Jackie and Spencer. Premiering at the Venice Film Festival, where Jolie's performance earned acclaim, Maria debuted in select U.S. theaters on November 27, 2024, and will stream on Netflix from December 11, with theatrical releases in Italy and Germany to follow in early 2025. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

This week on Cinemaholics, Jon Negroni and Will Ashton take a real hard look at Jesse Eisenberg's A Real Pain, a film tackling generational trauma, identity crises, and the age-old question: are we in a Kieran Culkin Kierannaissance? We chat about its awards buzz, a Holocaust scene that's somehow pivotal and memorable, and the performances that make all the pain worth it. Plus, we break down the movie's balancing act between humor and heavy themes. A Real Pain was directed, written, and produced by Jesse Eisenberg. The cast includes Eisenberg himself, alongside Kieran Culkin, Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, and others, with Emma Stone and Dave McCary serving as producers under their Fruit Tree banner. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2024, the film later saw a limited theatrical release in the United States on November 1 through Searchlight Pictures. It has a 90-minute runtime. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram. Synopsis for A Real Pain: Mismatched cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved

Welcome to Cinemaholics. I'm Jon Negroni, and I've just seen Moana 2. Now, this isn't going to be an instant take review right out of the theater, mainly because I'm recording this the next day. So, this is going to be a little bit different. But I did want to put something out there before the movie comes out. It is Thanksgiving week, so I know a lot of you are maybe having some busier weeks, finding some time with family and everything, and maybe you're considering going to see Moana 2 in the theater. And if that's the case, you might be curious—what is the movie all about? Is it worth checking out and all of that? Read the full transcript for this episode here. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

This week on the Cinemaholics podcast, we enter the arena to discuss Gladiator II, the long-awaited sequel that brings back Ridley Scott as director along with some fresh talent. Including Paul Mescal in the lead role alongside Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen. We kick off the show with some preamble about Wicked and Scott's filmography before clashing swords on the film itself. We discuss the overall themes of the film and how the action pays off the messaging. Plus we dig into the critical reception thus far and what might come next in the Gladiator franchise. Gladiator II opened in UK theaters on November 15 with a U.S. release through Paramount Pictures a week after on November 22. The film has a 148-minute runtime and the rest of the cast includes Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, and Derek Jacobi. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Will Ashton gives his instant take review of Red One, directed by Jake Kasdan and starring Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, Kristofer Hivju, Nick Kroll, Wesley Kimmel, and J.K. Simmons. Synopsis: After Santa Claus – Code Name: RED ONE – is kidnapped, the North Pole's Head of Security (Dwayne Johnson) must team up with the world’s most infamous bounty hunter (Chris Evans) in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas. Directed by | Jake Kasdan  Story by | Hiram Garcia  Screenplay by | Chris Morgan  Produced by | Hiram Garcia, p.g.a., Dwayne Johnson, p.g.a., Dany Garcia, Chris Morgan, p.g.a., Jake Kasdan p.g.a, Melvin Mar Starring | Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, Kristofer Hivju, Nick Kroll, Wesley Kimmel and J.K. Simmons Run Time | 2 hours 2 minutes  Rating | PG - 13 Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Disney and Lucasfilm have finally confirmed a deal to release a new Star Wars trilogy that continues(?) the saga with Episodes 10-12. Simon Kinberg will apparently develop the trilogy with Kathleen Kennedy, so let's get into everything we know so far about what's next for a galaxy far, far, you get the point. Articles mentioned in this podcast: Deadline – "‘Star Wars’ Trilogy Deal: Lucasfilm Taps Simon Kinberg To Write & Produce" The Hollywood Reporter – "‘Star Wars’: Simon Kinberg to Write, Produce New Trilogy for Lucasfilm" Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Will Ashton gives his instant take review of The Piano Lesson, directed and co-written by Malcolm Washington and starring Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, Danielle Deadwyler, and Corey Hawkins. Synopsis: A battle is brewing in the Charles Household. At the center stands a prized heirloom piano tearing two siblings apart. On one side, a brother (John David Washington) plans to build the family fortune by selling it. On the other, a sister (Danielle Deadwyler) will go to any lengths to hold onto the sole vestige of the family’s heritage.  Their uncle (Samuel L. Jackson) tries to mediate,  but even he can’t hold back the ghosts of the past.  Adapted from August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork, THE PIANO LESSON explores the intergenerational dynamics of identity, resilience and transcendence - revealing startling truths about how we perceive the past and who gets to define our legacy.  The film is directed and co-written by Malcolm Washington in his feature directorial debut. From Oscar nominated producers Denzel Washington and Todd Black, and featuring an all-star cast including Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith with Danielle Deadwyler and Corey Hawkins. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Will Ashton gives his instant take review of Emilia Pérez, directed and written by Jacques Audiard and starring Karla Sofîa Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, and Selena Gomez. Synopsis: From renegade auteur Jacques Audiard comes Emilia Pérez, an audacious fever dream that defies genres and expectations. Through liberating song and dance and bold visuals, this odyssey follows the journey of four remarkable women in Mexico, each pursuing their own happiness. The fearsome cartel leader Emilia (Karla Sofía Gascón) enlists Rita (Zoe Saldaña), an unappreciated lawyer stuck in a dead-end job, to help fake her death so that Emiliacan finally live authentically as her true self. Written and directed by Audiard (Rust and Bone, A Prophet), the double Cannes-winning film also stars Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Edgar Ramírez. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

This week on the Cinemaholics podcast, we dive deep into The Substance, Coralie Fargeat's follow-up to Revenge. We discuss the film's blending of body horror and Hollywood satire as performed by Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley with Dennis Quaid. This is a more contentious episode than usual as we have somewhat diverse interpretations of the film based on our own personal reactions to its cultural commentary. The Substance released theatrically last month through Mubi and has a 141-minute runtime. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Jon Negroni gives his instant take review of Anora, the newest film written and directed by Sean Baker. Mikey Madison stars in this genre-spinning, Palme d'Or winning drama-comedy about a young stripper swept up in a tumultuous romance with the son of a Russian oligarch. The cast also includes Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan, and Aleksei Serebryakov. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

This week on Cinemaholics, we review Saturday Night, a new awards-season comedy depicting the 90 minutes leading up to the airing of SNL's momentous first episode. Jason Reitman directs and co-writes with Gil Kenan, and we discuss the highs and lows of what is ultimately a fantastical, yet uneven origin story with plenty to laugh at. Saturday Night opened in limited release on September 27 and opens wide on October 11 through Sony Pictures Releasing. It has a 109-minute runtime and the (massive) cast includes Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O'Brien, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Kaia Gerber, Tommy Dewey, Willem Dafoe, Matthew Rhys, and J. K. Simmons. 

Joker: Folie à Deux rolls out into theaters this weekend, and not everyone is smiling about that. Stay tuned for our in-depth review of the film on our main show, but for now here's a spoiler-free reaction. Todd Phillips directed and co-wrote Joker: Folie à Deux with Scott Silver. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson, and Catherine Keener. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Want to hear yourself on the show? Leave us a voicemail using The “Swell” App. You can ask us questions, bring up a news topic, or share whatever else might be on your mind. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

We’ll be doing an in-depth review of Saturday Night on the main show soon, but here is a quick instant take of the film coming right out of the theater. Directed by Jason Reitman and featuring a star-studded cast, Saturday Night chronicles the chaotic 90 minutes leading up to the fateful airing of the first episode of what would eventually become Saturday Night Live, with some of the most iconic actors of the 70s and 80s played by plenty of lesser known actors and comedians in 2024. Fitting, right? Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Want to hear yourself on the show? Leave us a voicemail using The “Swell” App. You can ask us questions, bring up a news topic, or share whatever else might be on your mind. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

On this latest edition of Cinemaholics Headlines, Jon Negroni jumps on the mic to share his thoughts on a few big news stories in the world of film and entertainment. Our main story at the end covers some seriously damaging revelations about the working conditions at Pixar in the wake of Inside Out 2's unprecedented success. Headlines: First trailer for Mickey 17, the newest film from Bong Joon-ho. New Game of Thrones spinoff show has wrapped filming. The next Transformers live-action movie will cross over with G.I. Joe. Lionsgate has hired an AI firm. Pixar's future looks incredibly bleak right now, even after the success of Inside Out 2. Extra Credits: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Want to hear yourself on the show? Leave us a voicemail using The “Swell” App. You can ask us questions, bring up a news topic, or share whatever else might be on your mind. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Will Ashton just watched Transformers One, and so we're transforming the "instant take" review this time around into the Will Ashton Instant Take. That's right, Will talks about the new film directed by Josh Cooley without getting into spoilers and shares his reaction coming right out of the theater. Transformers One opens in theaters on September 20 through Paramount Pictures. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Want to hear yourself on the show? Leave us a voicemail using The “Swell” App. You can ask us questions, bring up a news topic, or share whatever else might be on your mind. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

This week on Cinemaholics, we review Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-awaited sequel to Tim Burton's 1988 cult(?) classic of the same name, minus one name. Burton returns as director with Alfred Gough and Miles Millar as co-screenwriters, and we discuss the film's big success at the box office and whether or not the hype is deserved, deserved, deserved. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opened in theaters on September 4 through Warner Bros after opening the Venice International Film Festival on August 28 and has a 104-minute runtime. The cast includes Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega, and Willem Dafoe. Our intro music this week is “Wakaba” by Hocoro Beats. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Want to hear yourself on the show? Leave us a voicemail using The “Swell” App. You can ask us questions, bring up a news topic, or share whatever else might be on your mind. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

We'll be doing an in-depth review of The Wild Robot on the main show soon, but here is a quick instant take of the film coming right out of the theater. Chris Sanders directed and wrote The Wild Robot, which opens in theaters on September 27 through DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures. Some critics are calling it the best animated feature of the year and one of DreamWorks' best animated films ever...are they right? Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Want to hear yourself on the show? Leave us a voicemail using The “Swell” App. You can ask us questions, bring up a news topic, or share whatever else might be on your mind. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

On this latest edition of Cinemaholics Headlines, Jon Negroni jumps on the mic to share his thoughts on a few big news stories in the world of film. Our main story at the end covers a critic-curated list of the movies to watch in case you missed this year's fall festivals. You can find a transcript of this podcast here. Hulu buys NUTCRACKERS. Matt Reeves confirms THE BATMAN II is part of a trilogy. Clint Eastwood's JUROR #2 gets a release date. INSIDE OUT 2 coming to Disney+ on September 25. Max (the streaming service) gets some good news for a change. The New SOPRANOS documentary just dropped on Max. Don't fuggetaboutit. Big updates on CONSTANTINE 2, which is apparently happening. TRANSFORMERS ONE is good, actually?! These might be the best film of the fall festivals in 2024. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Want to hear yourself on the show? Leave us a voicemail using The “Swell” App. You can ask us questions, bring up a news topic, or share whatever else might be on your mind. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Jon Negroni unpacks a few big news stories in the world of film this week, including some weird drama and false rumors about Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. James Earl Jones passes away at age 93. Disney is making a new Ice Age movie. Judd Apatow and Steven Spielberg are making a Cola Wars movie about Pepsi and Coke. Michael B. Jordan to direct and star in remake of Thomas Crown Affair for Amazon MGM Studios. Spider-Man 4 (real name TBD) starring Tom Holland will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, director of Shang-Chi. Denis Villeneuve maintains he won't do another Dune movie after Dune: Messiah, but he wants another director to take it over. No, Sony didn't scrap most of Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Want to hear yourself on the show? Leave us a voicemail using The “Swell” App. You can ask us questions, bring up a news topic, or share whatever else might be on your mind. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Our full, in-depth review of The Substance will hopefully hit the feeds soon, but in the meantime, check out Jon Negroni's spoiler-free instant take of the film right out of the theater. The Substance premiered earlier this year at Cannes and will be released by Mubi on September 20, 2024 in the U.S. The film was directed and written by Coralie Fargeat (Revenge) and it stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid.   Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Want to hear yourself on the show? Leave us a voicemail using The “Swell” App. You can ask us questions, bring up a news topic, or share whatever else might be on your mind. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Seeking Mavis Beacon might just be your type. Special guest Jazmin Jones, director and DIY detective behind the new documentary, recently sat down with Jon Negroni for a conversation about online privacy, internet nostalgia, and of course, Letterboxd reviews. In the late 80s and throughout the 1990s, millions of people for the first time learned how to touch type, that is the style of typing on a computer without looking at the keys, through a software program called Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. While it went through numerous iterations over the years, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing featured a Black businesswoman in its tutorials. A woman people assumed was a real person named Mavis Beacon but was in fact someone else entirely. In real life, the original Mavis Beacon was Renee L'Esperance, a Haitian model. And she mysteriously vanished decades ago. In the new documentary distributed by Neon, titled Seeking Mavis Beacon, director Jazmin Jones and her co-collaborator Olivia McKayla Ross set out to uncover what happened to Renee and why. It's a documentary about who owns and controls our public identities and personas, even in the earliest days of the internet. All the way to the present day, when artificial intelligence continues to poke at these polarizing questions in the name of corporate profit. Seeking Mavis Beacon premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and is now playing in limited theaters. Our intro music is "Time goes by slowly" by Ujan Music Radio. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Want to hear yourself on the show? Leave us a voicemail using The “Swell” App. You can ask us questions, bring up a news topic, or share whatever else might be on your mind. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

Our full review of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will hit the feeds soon, but in the meantime, check out Jon Negroni's spoiler-free instant take of the film right out of the theater. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opens in theaters on September 6, 2024. It was directed by Tim Burton and co-written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. The cast includes Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega, and Willem Dafoe. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics!

The summer movie season is finally over, and we had some big surprises across the board this year. So this week, the Cinemaholics crunch the numbers and analyze the highs and lows of the box office releases and how this year compares to the last few. Plus we get a chance to dig a little into a few releases we didn't review on the main show and re-litigate a few of the ones we did. In this episode we looked at a Forbes article by Conor Murray, as well as the Summer Movie Wager website used by the Filmcast. Also, our thumbnail artwork was designed by Jon Negroni and features edited stills from Deadpool and Wolverine, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, The Fall Guy, The Garfield Movie, IF, Despicable Me 4, Inside Out 2, Twisters, A Quiet Place: Day One, and Longlegs. Our intro music this week is “Wakaba” by Hocoro Beats. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord and chat with us! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

This week on Cinemaholics, we review Alien: Romulus, the seventh installment in the Alien franchise (not counting the Alien vs. Predator movies for obvious reasons). And this time with Fede Álvarez as director after previously helming the Evil Dead 2013 remake and Don't Breathe in 2016. The cast includes Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu. Alien: Romulus opened in theaters on August 16 through 20th Century Studios (Disney) and has a 119-minute runtime. After our review, we play the Rotten Tomatoes Game to see how other critics are evaluating the film and quickly peek into the box office results thus far. Our intro music this week is “Wakaba” by Hocoro Beats. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Follow us on Twitter: Jon Negroni, Will Ashton Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.

This week on Cinemaholics, we kick off with a review of Borderlands, directed and co-written by Eli Roth and based on the hit video game no one's really cared much about in about a decade. Next we take a look at Dídi, a Sundance favorite and indie dramedy darling directed by Sean Wang in his directorial debut. Then we finish out the show with Trap, the latest thriller from M. Night Shyamalan, this time starring Josh Hartnett and closing off Shyamalan's unofficial "the kids are not all right" trilogy, which kicked off with Old. Show Notes: 00:00:00 – Borderlands review 00:27:20 – Dídi review 00:43:20 – Trap review Our intro music this week is “Wakaba” by Hocoro Beats. Links: Email your feedback for the show to cinemaholicspodcast [at] gmail.com Join our Discord! We have a Cinemaholics channel here. Follow us on Twitter: Jon Negroni, Will Ashton Check out our Cinemaholics Merch! Check out our Patreon to support Cinemaholics! Connect with Cinemaholics on Facebook and Instagram.