Across the Movie Aisle

Probing 'A Real Pain' Nov 19, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if the Jake Paul/Mike Tyson “fight” that was “watched” (when they could get the stream to work) by “60 million people” (okay I’ll stop with the scare quotes) represents the future of streaming. Then they reviewed A Real Pain, Jesse Eisenberg’s new film about a pair of very different cousins on a tour of their family’s heritage sites. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a bonus episode on the enduring legacy of The Wizard of Oz. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

The Joyful Pain of 'Anora' Nov 12, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) asked if wall-to-wall celebrity endorsements might have backfired on Kamala Harris. Then they reviewed Anora, a movie fascinating in both its sympathies and its judgments. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for Friday’s bonus episode on the best movies of the decade (so far!). And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

'Conclave,' a Modern Old-Fashioned Movie Nov 05, 2024

On this Election Day’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Warner Bros. baffling decision to bury Clint Eastwood’s Juror No. 2. Why deprive young fogeys like this trio of a primo legal procedural from an aging master? Then they reviewed Conclave, another movie holding well at the box office designed to appeal to precisely the same market that Eastwood’s movie would have been aimed at. Is this Vatican-set thriller worth your time? Will the ending make you laugh out loud? All that and more on this week’s episode! If you enjoyed it (or know someone who could use an Election Day distraction), please share it with a friend!

Hopefully, this is Venom's 'Last Dance' Oct 29, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if comic book legend Alan Moore is right to blame toxic fandom and arrested development for the rise of Trump. Then they review Venom: The Last Dance, a movie that’s bad … but watchably so? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for some election even distraction suggestions. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

The Sprawling History of Neal Stephenson's 'Polostan' Oct 22, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss both AI witchhunts and Blumhouse’s decision to partner Meta with filmmakers in an effort to bring AI into the filmmaking fold. (You can watch the video/ad by Aneesh Chaganty we discussed here.) Then, in a slight departure for the podcast, we discuss a book: Neal Stephenson’s Polostan, the first entry in his forthcoming Bomb Light Cycle. Historical fiction examining the cultural and scientific revolutions of the first half of the 20th century by one of our greatest novelists? We were very much into it. Make sure to stick around for Friday’s bonus episode, in which we discuss scary books just in time for Halloween. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

'Saturday Night' and the Excitement of the New Oct 15, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if social media influencers are the new Hollywood A-Listers. (Spoiler: they’re not. They’re something older and potentially much lamer but also maybe more interesting.) Then they review Saturday Night, a movie that revels in the excitement of The New. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for a bonus episode on SNL movies! And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend.

'Joker' Folly Number Two Oct 08, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the dread toxic fandom, every executive’s favorite scapegoat for why their product failed to find an audience. Then they review Joker: Folie à Deux, one of the most disastrous sequels ever made. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a discussion of sequels that have no reason to exist. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

The Messy 'Megalopolis' Oct 01, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask why so few watch Netflix’s prestige pictures, and if it really matters. Then they discuss Francis Ford Coppola’s long-in-gestation epic fable, Megalopolis. Yes, it’s a mess, but is it a brilliant one? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on the mobile Criterion closet. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

Lone 'Wolfs' Sep 24, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the $2.2 billion in improvements to movie theaters, which are looking to add more premium screens and more … ziplines and pickleball courts? What could go wrong! Then they review Wolfs, which hits AppleTV+ on Friday and had a limited run in theaters last weekend. We mostly avoided spoiler talk in this episode since the movie isn’t widely accessible yet, and Sonny ranted for a bit about why it’s not widely accessible yet. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on Brad Pitt and George Clooney, the stars of Wolfs. And if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!

'Rebel Ridge,' a Movie with a Message Sep 17, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Francis Ford Coppola’s libel suit against Variety, as well as a whacky idea for the theatrical presentation of Megalopolis. Then they review Rebel Ridge, a movie with a message. Were Sonny and Peter suckered in by the film’s message? Make sure to swing by for our bonus episode on Friday about thrillers with a conscience. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

The Messy 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' Sep 10, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss why indie studios like Neon can’t really afford great films like Hit Man anymore. Then they review Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a nostalgia play with too many new elements. Thanks again to everyone who showed up for the live show in Dallas and the happy hour in Austin; it was great to see you. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

Revisiting 'A Quiet Place: Day One' Sep 03, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Bloomberg’s odd decision to bury Olivia Nuzzi’s interview show. (For background, make sure to read Ben Smith’s story on the matter.) Then they review A Quiet Place: Day One, which hit Paramount+ recently. Is the latest from the director of Pig worth a stream? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode looking ahead to award season cinema. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

Should You 'Blink Twice'? Aug 27, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the Megalopolis trailer disaster. (Plus: AI ranks the Across the Movie Aisle hosts!) Then they reviewed Blink Twice, a movie that prizes its message over its drama but doesn’t have a good hold on its message either. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a bonus episode on the cultural detritus of the Obama era. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

How 'Alien: Romulus' Resurrected the Franchise Aug 20, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed a strange casting choice in the cons and nons segment before reviewing Alien: Romulus. We also teased this week’s bonus episode about the Alien franchise and its shift from a series about Ellen Ripley’s efforts to survive to a series more explicitly about the Weyland-Yutani corporation; if you aren’t a member, and would like to hear it when it drops on Friday, you can sign up here for 20 percent off the annual price. Yeah, yeah: you’ll get all the political newsletters and podcasts! But you really want that hot Weyland-Yutani content, don’t you?

'The Instigators,' a Perfect Streaming Picture Aug 13, 2024

Before we get started: we have a Bulwark Live event in Dallas on September 5 featuring Sarah, Tim, Bill, and special guest Adam Kinzinger (as well as myself), and then a bunch of us will be down in Austin on September 6 and 7 as part of the Texas Tribune Festival. Come hang out! — SB
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Joaquin Phoenix’s puzzling decision to abandon Todd Haynes’s film at the last minute. Then they review Doug Liman’s new film starring Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, The Instigators, which is streaming now on AppleTV+. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a bonus episode about the Paris Olympics and the state of streaming. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

'Deadpool & Wolverine' Pulls Audiences Back In Jul 30, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review Deadpool & Wolverine, the first $200 million opening movie in two-and-a-half years. It’s definitely a movie! Then they discuss Homicide: Life on the Street, a beloved show that’s finally hitting streaming. But there’s one small problem. Make sure to swing by Friday for our summer reading bonus episode. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

Is 'Twisters' the Summer's Popcorn Hit? Jul 23, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if Hollywood is to blame for the rise of J.D. Vance thanks to Netflix’s Oscar-bait biopic, Hillbilly Elegy. Then they review Twisters, the first real popcorn hit of the summer. Make sure to swing by Friday for a bonus episode about Hollywood’s role in propping up, and then tearing down, the Biden campaign. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

Best of 2024 (So Far!) Jul 16, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the best movies and TV shows from the first half of 2024. It’s been an interesting year so far; what’s on the top of our lists? Then we review Fly Me to the Moon, a movie that asks what if we had to fake the moon landing to sell the moon landing? Is it worth checking out in theaters? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ this Friday for a remembrance of Shannon Doherty, Shelley Duvall, Dr. Ruth, and Richard Simmons, all of whom passed away last week. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

A Cop's Return to 'Beverly Hills' Jul 09, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the merger of Skydance and Paramount and David Ellison’s place in the Hollywood firmament. Then we review Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, a legacyquel of the highest caliber! (It’s fine.) Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on Jon Landau and a tribute to producers more generally. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

Kevin Costner Goes to the 'Horizon' Jul 02, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) have questions about the Microsoft AI head’s understanding of Fair Use, as it relates to copyright. Then they review Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter One. Does Kevin Costner still have that old western magic? Or is this simply too sprawling and unfocused to work? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on Bridgerton and Netflix’s foray into live events. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

'Inside Out 2' and 'The Bikeriders' Jun 25, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss two new movies this week. First up is Inside Out 2, which is smashing box office records for an animated film. But is it any good? And then they discuss The Bikeriders, Jeff Nichols’s new picture that might be described as “Midwestern Motorcycle Club Goodfellas.” On this Friday’s bonus episode, we’re going to pay homage to Donald Sutherland, so we hope you swing by for that. And if you enjoyed this episode, we hope you share it with a friend!

Is 'Hit Man' a Deeper Romcom? Jun 18, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Sony Pictures Entertainment’s purchase of the Alamo Drafthouse. Then they review Richard Linklater’s Hit Man, the new film starring (and cowritten by) Glen Powell. Is it a frothy romcom filled with sexy, silly fun? Or is there something a bit deeper? Make sure to swing by for our bonus episode on Friday for our Summer preview. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

Riding with the 'Bad Boys' Jun 11, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the shuttering of a franchised chain of Alamo Drafthouses. What does this mean for the theatrical industry writ large? Then they reviewed Bad Boys: Ride or Die, a movie that will appeal greatly to anyone who likes boys who are bad. Make sure to swing by Friday for an in-depth discussion into Will Smith, a walking-talking nons and cons. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

'The Last Stop in Yuma County's' Nasty Surprises Jun 04, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask how we wound up in a future in which people pull out their cell phone cameras to tape Chipotle’s burrito artisans in order to get a little extra rice and beans. Is the burrito panopticon the future we signed up for? And then they review The Last Stop in Yuma County, Francis Galluppi’s shockingly great debut noir. It’s on VOD now, they all hope you check it out. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ Friday for our bonus chat on nepo babies. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

AI and the Wasteland May 29, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) debate OpenAI’s use of a voice that sounds suspiciously like Scarlett Johansson.
Then they head into the Wasteland to review Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
Make sure to swing by Friday for an apocalyptic bonus episode. And if you liked this episode, please share it with a friend!

Why 'The Idea of You' Doesn't Really Work May 21, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the rise of YouTube as a serious vector for televisual consumption. Then they review The Idea of You, a movie that doesn’t really work on any level yet has put up bonkers numbers for Prime Video. If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!
A programming note: No bonus episode this Friday thanks to the upcoming holiday, but that just gives you more reason to check out last Friday’s episode on the late, great Roger Corman.

'Apes' Together, Strong? May 14, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Apple’s disastrous new iPad ad. But did people overreact to the image of creative tools being turned into a wafer-thin iPad? And then they reviewed Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, a movie with lots of ideas, though one that also doesn’t dive into them deeply enough. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode, a tribute to Roger Corman and the world he helped spawn. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

The Perfectly Pleasant 'Fall Guy' May 07, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed whether or not steamy movie scenes are back (per the New York Times) or on their way to extinction (per the Economist). Then they reviewed The Fall Guy, an imperfect movie that’s still a perfectly good time to watch. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on the rise of mid-TV. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

'Challengers' Ignites Audience Desires Apr 30, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) asked if Jerry Seinfeld was right about the state of comedy. (You can read his full interview with David Remnick here.) Then they review Challengers, an erotically charged relationship movie set in the world of professional tennis. Make sure to swing by Friday for a bonus episode on the cinematic soundscapes of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

The Chilling, Frustrating 'Civil War' Apr 23, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed whether or not the stars of The Blair Witch Project should get back-residuals for services already rendered. (You can read the full story here.) Then they discussed Civil War, Alex Garland’s travelogue through a war-torn America. Is it a treatise on war, politics, or journalism? All of these? None of these? Most importantly: does it work as a tense war drama? (Since we mentioned it in this episode, make sure to check out our old, pre-Bulwark episode on Garland’s great FX show Devs.) Swing by Friday for a bonus episode in which Peter unfairly attacks Sonny about Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon movies, very nasty stuff. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

Across the Movie Aisle Live! Apr 16, 2024

Very special episode this week, as Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Denis Villeneuve’s 2016 film, Arrival, live from the Alamo Drafthouse in Washington, D.C. This was a very fun episode to tape and I hope everyone who showed up had a good time; we certainly had a great time meeting everyone. No bonus episode this week, as Alyssa is out of the country; we’ll be back next Tuesday with our episode on Civil War. If you enjoyed this, please share it with a friend!

Bringing 'Monkey Man' to the Big Screen Apr 09, 2024

Before we get started: a handful of tickets are left for Across the Movie Aisle live tonight. If you’ve never seen (or, almost as importantly, heard) Arrival on the big screen, you’re not going to want to miss tonight’s screening on the Dolby Atmos Big Show screen at the Bryant Street Drafthouse in DC. It’s going to be a fun show, I can’t wait to see everyone there.
On today’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s non-endorsement of Biden. Or Trump. Or anyone. What does it mean that wrestling’s biggest weather vane is sitting this one out? Then they review Monkey Man, Dev Patel’s directorial debut. Is the action-revenge movie “Indian John Wick,” or something different? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on Friday about Tokyo Vice and Curb Your Enthusiasm. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

How Dumb Is 'Godzilla x Kong'? Apr 02, 2024

Before we get started: you’re running out of time to pick up tickets to the live show at the Bryant Street Alamo Drafthouse in DC. Tuesday, April 9. We’re talking Arrival. It’s gonna be great! Tickets are just seven bucks, you really have no excuse not to be there.
Yes, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is dumb. But is it fun dumb or dumb dumb? That’s the question Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) endeavor to answer this week. Before that, they talk about the Entertainment Strategy Guy’s suggestion that we’re all being a little too hard on the traditional studios and their forays into streaming and a little too easy on the tech giants and their forays into streaming. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for the bonus episode, in which we suggest some silly franchise crossovers. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

'Road House' Blues Mar 26, 2024

Before we get started: make sure to pick up your tickets for Arrival at the DC Bryant Street Drafthouse on Tuesday, April 9. We’re doing a live taping after the movie, so it’s a great chance to come and say hi. Tickets are only $7! For a screening on the Alamo’s Big Show! It’s going to be fun, can’t wait to see you there.
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the use of an AI-generated image in the indie horror flick Late Night with the Devil. Then they review Road House, the remake of the 1989 basic cable classic now streaming on Amazon Prime. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ this Friday for our bonus episode on Patrick Swayze and the evolution of the male action star. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

Adam Sandler Goes Into Space, Man Mar 19, 2024

Tickets to our screening of Arrival and live-taping of an episode of the show are going fast! It’s Tuesday, April 9, at 7PM in Washington, D.C., at the Alamo Drafthouse’s Bryant Street location on their Big Show screen. Tickets are just seven bucks! Pick them up now before they’re gone for good.

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This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the viewing habits of Kids These Days™ and whether or not the rise of streaming and the decline of cable/video stores have changed what gets watched and why. Then they review Spaceman, Adam Sandler’s space travel/spider therapy movie. (Trust us, it makes sense in context.) Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on sad sci-fi movies, a weirdly prolific genre. And if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!

Best. Oscars. Ever. Mar 12, 2024

Before we get started, some fun news: Peter, Alyssa, and Sonny are going to be at the DC Bryant Street Drafthouse on Tuesday, April 9 for a screening of Arrival and a live show. Should be a fun time; make sure to get your tickets now, as we sold out the last one of these we did in Crystal City. (If you click above and see “no showtimes available,” make sure to click the “Tuesday 4/9” link.)
And now, on to the show! It’s the Oscars episode, so in cons and nons we talk Kimmel vs. Trump before discussing the ceremony and the winners. Was this the best show in ages? Did the right nominees win? How great was that "I'm Just Ken" performance? How cool were those Godzilla shoes worn by FX artists on Godzilla Minus One? All that and more on this Tuesday’s episode. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our chat about best supporting actor winner Robert Downey Jr.’s career. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

'Dune: Part Two,' a Desert Epic for the Ages Mar 05, 2024

On this week’s episode Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Ian Bogost’s essay at The Atlantic suggesting the 4K revolution is a bit of a scam. Then they review Dune: Part Two, the second half of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic novel. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on Vulture’s ranking of the 100 greatest action sequences. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

Is 'Drive-Away Dolls' an Instant Cult Film? Feb 27, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Ted Gioia’s breakdown of how the culture has moved from art to entertainment, into a world of distraction, and is now veering toward addiction. (Or, how we moved from Kubrick and Coppola to TikTok and IG Stories in several easy steps.) Then they reviewed Drive-Away Dolls, the new lesbian neo-noir from Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke. Is it an instant cult classic or something less impressive? Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on the Criterion Channel’s Razzies program. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

Why 'True Detective: Night Country' Was Doomed to Fail Feb 20, 2024

On this week’s episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) debated the emergence of AI video and whether it would be a net positive or a net negative for society. Then they reviewed True Detective: Night Country, which just wrapped its season up this weekend. Is it a worthy successor to season one, or something lesser? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on Madame Web. (I know, I know: comic book movies, ugh. But you’re really going to enjoy this episode, I think.) And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

'The Zone of Interest's' Immersive Horror Feb 13, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked Super Bowl trailers (which you can watch here). Then they turned to The Zone of Interest, the last of the best picture nominees they have to review. (If you want to hear their take on every best picture nominee, here’s the lineup in the order we reviewed them, from most recently to least recently: Anatomy of a Fall, The Holdovers, American Fiction,Maestro, Poor Things, Killers of the Flower Moon, Barbie, Oppenheimer, and Past Lives.) Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our discussion of the state of film criticism. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

'Argylle' and the Unreality of Streaming Blockbusters Feb 06, 2024

This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) asked whether Nikki Haley should be persona non grata from Saturday Night Live. Then they reviewed Argylle, which is a strange combination of distressingly empty and absurdly overstuffed. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode, in which we will offer up some suggestions of stuff to see since the multiplex is letting us all down. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

Was 'Barbie' Snubbed in the Oscar Nominations? Jan 30, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) asked the most pressing question in the history of awards season: Was Barbie snubbed? Or was this, in fact, one of the best crops of nominees in decades? Then they reviewed one of the best picture nominees, Anatomy of a Fall. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode about the biggest move Netflix has made in years. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

'The Holdovers,' a Very Nice Movie! Jan 23, 2024

A programming note: We tape on Monday afternoons, which means you will have to wait until next week for our Oscar hot takes. I know, you are quivering with anticipation! Quiver a moment or two longer.

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the decline of Pitchfork, which was gutted by Conde Nast and moved under the GQ banner. What happened to the once-storied indie-rock website? Then they review The Holdovers, one of the nicest movies of the year. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on Friday about the Oscar-nominated Paul Giamatti. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

Does 'The Beekeper' Have Audiences Buzzing? (Correct Episode This Time!) Jan 16, 2024

Apologies, got sent the wrong file this morning, which necessitated me, Sonny, doing an emergency edit to get this to you ASAP. So when you listen to this and you hear how much worse it sounds, know that’s the difference between getting a professional Jonathan Siri edit and a quick-and-dirty Sonny Bunch edit. Sorry for the mixup!

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about the NFL’s decision to give the Peacock streaming service exclusive rights to a single playoff game for the low-low price of more than $100 million. Then they review The Beekeeper, the delightful new Jason Statham action film from director David Ayer. Is it a cathartic action-revenge romp, or something less than that? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on the joys of Jason Statham. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

The Tricky Lessons of 'American Fiction' Jan 09, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (the Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked about the TikTok-ification of The Sopranos. Clever marketing, or grotesque desecration? Then they reviewed American Fiction, which is going wide this week after a relatively limited run. Does it effectively skewer its targets in the publishing-industrial complex? Or is it simply a satisfying comedy? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on directorial debuts. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

ATMA's Top Ten of 2023! Jan 03, 2024

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Peter Suderman (Reason), and Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) discussed their ten (or so!) favorite movies of the year. You may have already seen Sonny’s list, but who knows how much things have changed in the weeks between its publication and the taping of this episode. One thing that’s definitely true: there’s more divergence this year than in years past. Many different movies get a shoutout and only a few share positions. If you want to win an argument against the friends you talk movies with, by sharing your favorite ATMA host’s list, please forward this to a friend!

A Flattened 'Maestro' Dec 26, 2023

Merry Christmas! Peter, Alyssa, and I hope everyone out there is having a happy holidays. As you try to figure out what to watch with the family in this down week, we took a look at Netflix’s awards season favorite, Maestro. Before that, we dove into Marvel’s Jonathan Majors mess and asked if they made the right call in dropping him following his criminal convictions. Swing back by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode about what we’re looking forward to at the multiplex in 2024. Our annual best-of episode is coming next week, though it may be a day late owing to New Year’s travel schedules. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend! We had a great 2023, hope you did the same.

Is 'Poor Things' Rich with Meaning? Dec 19, 2023

On this week’s show, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked about Netflix’s big data release. What plays? What doesn’t? What are they trying to signal to talent? Then they reviewed Poor Things, the latest confection from Yorgos Lanthimos. Does this feminist Frankenstein starring Emma Stone have something to teach us about the world? Or is it an amusing trifle? Make sure to swing by for Friday’s bonus episode on studios’ recurrent desire to hide that musicals are in fact musicals. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

Miyazaki's Swan Song: 'The Boy and the Heron' Dec 12, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the Golden Globes and the odd fact that the same company owns not only the Globes but also the three biggest trade publications in Hollywood, meaning that studios will feel pressured to pay the press that covers them hefty For Your Consideration spots in exchange for awards consideration. Seems bad! Then they review what is, supposedly, Japanese animation giant Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, The Boy and the Heron, the number one movie at the box office last weekend. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on subtitles, dubbing, and one good thing AI might be able to do. And if you enjoyed this episode please share it with a friend!

A 'May December' to Remember? Dec 05, 2023

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Bob Iger’s decision to slam Disney’s “messaging” in recent movies. Does he really think the company is going broke because it went woke? Or is he simply trying to distract from the structural problems Disney has made for itself with its streaming service? Then the gang discusses May December, the new Todd Haynes movie starring Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman that just hit Netflix and is earning tons of Oscar buzz. Make sure to swing by this Friday for our bonus episode on the epic new John Woo movie, Silent Night, in theaters now. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

Is 'Napoleon' an Epic Wonder or Blunder? Nov 28, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the removal of Melissa Barrera from the forthcoming Scream sequel in the wake of comments deemed antisemitic by the film’s producers. Then they review Ridley Scott’s epic, comic take on Napoleon, aptly titled Napoleon. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on great directors who do not consistently make great films. And if you enjoyed this episode please share it with a friend!

How True to History Does Historical Fiction Need to Be? Nov 21, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked about Ridley Scott’s riotous press tour and his disdain for historical nitpicking while also reckoning with the responsibility, if any, popular fiction has to represent the reality of the world. Then they reviewed The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the prequel everyone was begging for. No bonus episode this Friday: enjoy your Thanksgiving, everyone. If you enjoyed thisepisode, please share it with a friend!

Why 'The Marvels' Crashed and Burned Nov 14, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Warner Bros.’s plan to indefinitely shelve Coyote vs. Acme for tax purposes and what that says about the streaming business writ large. Then they review The Marvels, which recently had the worst opening ever for a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie and continues the studio’s cold streak. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on AI provisions in the new SAG-AFTRA contract. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

'Priscilla' and Sofia Coppola's Gilded Cages Nov 07, 2023

On this Tuesday’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) have a fine time highlighting Marvel’s myriad problems, from the serious (a star facing criminal charges) to the hilarious (a version of the character Blade in which Blade is the fourth lead in his own movie, taking a backseat to a quartet of ladies who teach him life lessons). Then they review Priscilla, the new film from Sofia Coppola about Elvis Presley’s wife. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on Sofia Coppola and her brand of upper-class ennui. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

'Five Nights at Freddy's': The Fall's Surprise Hit Oct 31, 2023

On this Tuesday’s show, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the fall’s surprise breakout at the box office: Five Nights at Freddy’s, a property you’ve almost certainly never heard of if you’re over the age of 35 but almost certainly love if you’re under the age of 18. How did Universal turn this into a monster hit despite putting it on Peacock and in theaters simultaneously? And then we review The Killer, David Fincher’s latest for Netflix starring Michael Fassbender as the titular killer. Is it a slick exercise in style, a sly comment on the whole hitman subgenre, or a scathing indictment of modernity’s detachment of labor and laborer? Maybe all three, wrapped up in a little techno-critical ribbon, a perfect gift for Fincher’s Netflix overlords. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on the meaning of the explosion of hitmen on film in recent years and what it all might mean. And make sure to share this episode with a friend if you enjoyed it!

Have Scorsese, DiCaprio, and De Niro Done It Again? Oct 24, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the cancellation of Jon Stewart’s show by Apple. Was it driven by fear of criticizing China, or, possibly, something far more prosaic? Then we set our sights on Killers of the Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese’s new film starring Martin Scorsese and his two most frequent onscreen collaborators, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. There’s much to discuss about Scorsese’s epic, which focuses on the murders of the Osage people in Oklahoma in the 1920s and asks who can tell their story. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode, a Martin Scorsese movie draft. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

The Taylor Swift Concert Movie Spectacular Oct 17, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the state of the AMPTP/SAG-AFTRA talks and why this strike might drag out longer than anyone expected. Then they review the much-anticipated Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, which is definitely a 165-or-so-minute movie that recreates most of a Taylor Swift concert! But is it any more than that? And does it need to be? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on great movie books tied to The Hollywood Reporter’s list of 100 greatest movie books. And if you enjoyed this episode—or are a Swiftie outraged by our lack of faith in your pop overlord—make sure to share it with a friend!

Wes Anderson's Experimental Netflix Shorts Oct 10, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) break down the business sense of Universal paying $400 million for the rights to a movie trilogy that just saw its first entry open to $27 million. (The streaming wars are wild, you guys.) Then they review the initial fruits of another big rights purchase: Wes Anderson’s four short films for Netflix based on short stories written by Roald Dahl. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on some of our favorite short films. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

The AI Toys Coming for Your Kids Oct 03, 2023

On this week’s episode, award-winning Washington Post writer Alyssa Rosenberg reports live from New York City on Toy Fair and all the hot AI trends coming to kids’ toys. And then Alyssa, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the AI-loving sci-fi original, The Creator. Spoiler alert: we talk about the things that happen in the movie, including some stuff near the end! If you haven’t seen it and want to and are worried about that sort of thing, listen to the show in a couple of days! Make sure to swing back to Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on robot movies and the decline of original sci-fi features. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

Is 'Dumb Money' a Smart Movie? Sep 26, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) celebrate the end of the writers strike and ask a very important question: what the heck took so long for the studio execs to sit down and work out a deal with the writers? Then they review Dumb Money, Craig Gillespie’s look at the pandemic-era bubble surrounding meme stock AMC. As an underdog-beating-the-big-guys story, it’s … eh. But as a pandemic movie and an examination of the ways in which it made us all go a little nuts, it’s really quite interesting. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode about the end of prestige TV and the retrenchment to more populist fare. And if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!

A ‘Haunting’ Murder Mystery Sep 19, 2023

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Drew Barrymore’s aborted decision to bring her show back sans writers before the WGA strike ends and how social media pressure is helping enforce solidarity. Then they review A Haunting in Venice, the latest adventure of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode about Hasan Minhaj and the duty, if any, standup comedians have to the truth. And if you enjoyed this episode make sure to share it with a friend!

Did the Streaming Game Just Change? Sep 12, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) look at the last-minute deal that brought ESPN back to Spectrum cable customers just in time for Monday Night Football. Is this deal a game-changer, or simply a delay of the inevitable diminishment of cable TV? Then the gang reviews You Are SO Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, the latest production from Adam Sandler’s shingle featuring not only Adam but also two of his daughters. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for the bonus episode on Friday; we’re going deep on the ways in which digital piracy can be used as a preservation tool instead of simply a means of theft.
Many thanks to Jonathan Siri for producing this, and every other, episode of the show. If you enjoyed it, make sure to send it to a friend!

Why Taylor Swift and AMC Bypassed the Studios Sep 05, 2023

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if Taylor Swift and AMC got the better of the studios by agreeing to a direct distribution deal for her forthcoming Eras Tour movie concert. Given the way studios are messing with the release calendar in response to the ongoing strikes, was this a smart short-term play to fill a revenue gap for AMC, or something that augurs a whole new business opportunity? Most importantly: Will Alyssa browbeat Sonny into seeing the movie? We’ll have to see. Then the gang discusses The Equalizer 3, director Antoine Fuqua’s concise cinematic case for Just War Theory. Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on old-man action movies. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

Why Streamers Want to Keep Their Data Secret Aug 29, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the sticking points between the AMPTP and the WGA, and why the stickiest may wind up being data divulging. Streamers don’t want to give it up; the union doesn’t want to give up a golden opportunity to force success-based residuals. What might a compromise look like? Then they review Gran Turismo, which is either a perfectly generic sports movie or a terribly generic sports movie. It all depends on your point of view. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on Friday. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

Fraud at the Box Office! Plus: 'Strays' Reviewed. Aug 22, 2023

On this week’s show, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss fraud at the Korean box office and why rumors of studios and distributors inflating receipts are regular fodder for the conspiratorially minded. Then they review Strays, a movie that made some of them laugh despite themselves. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode Friday about the sad state of the R-rated comedy. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

Disney: Canary in the Showbiz Coal Mine Aug 15, 2023

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) look at Disney’s shaky economic and creative output and discuss how it serves as a sort of canary in the entertainment industry’s coal mine. Then they review Full Circle, the entertaining-but-convoluted new show on Max (formerly, HBO Max) from Steven Soderbergh and Ed Solomon. Make sure to swing by Friday for a bonus episode on the Barbie culture wars. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

Are Digital Extras the Future of Movies? Plus: 'They Cloned Tyrone.' Aug 08, 2023

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the controversial (or nontroversial?) practice of digitizing extras. Setting aside issues of informed consent: Is this an existential threat to the Screen Actors Guild, or simply a necessity in the world of spiraling production costs and the risks of Covid-era shutdowns? Then the gang reviews They Cloned Tyrone, Juel Taylor’s They Live-inspired sci-fi satire. Is the Netflix film a hit or a miss? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a tribute to William Friedkin, one of Hollywood’s great directors. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

We're All 'Barbie' Girls, It's a 'Barbie' World Aug 01, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if you’re ready for the nascent Mattel Cinematic Universe (as chronicled by the New Yorker here) currently being developed by Hollywood. If you enjoyed Barbie, you’re gonna love Uno! Speaking of: did we love Barbie? It’s the hit of the summer—and could wind up being the highest-grossing movie of the year—but is it any good? If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

'Oppenheimer' Is Transcendent Cinema. Jul 25, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if movie theaters could wind up being the biggest casualty of the ongoing actor’s strike despite this weekend’s huge box office returns for Barbenheimmer. Then they review Oppenheimer, which is a clear frontrunner for best picture of the year. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our Nolan Draft. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

The Actors Strike! What Do They Want? Jul 18, 2023

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to figure out why the studios and the actors are so far apart in their negotiations. Spoiler: It’s not entirely about the money. (Though it is, in a larger sense, always about the money.) Then they review Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning: Part One, the latest entry in Tom Cruise’s decades-spanning series. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for Friday’s episode on Cruise, his evolving career, and how he managed to get the focus off of his personal life over the last decade. And if you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!

The Subtle Pleasures of 'Past Lives' Jul 11, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask why WB keeps stepping on rakes by doing things like demanding GQ rewrite pieces about David Zaslav and messing with critics by scheduling Barbie screenings on the same day as Oppenheimer screenings. (Late-brekaing update here: the studio seems to be adding screening dates for Barbie in at least some cities with Oppenheimer conflicts.) Then they review Past Lives, which is getting a lot of buzz as one of the best movies of the year. Is it? We’ll return to that topic on this week’s bonus episode, in which we judge the best movies of the first half of 2023. And if you enjoyed this episode, as always, we ask that you share it with a friend.
A brief aside: An episode like this one is particularly important to share if you want to see more reviews of indie films and fewer reviews of Indy (or Marvel or DC or whatever) films. We can see the downloads; we know what movies people are interested in listening to reviews of. We sometimes get complaints from folks who want more talk about movies for adults … but we also know what people actually listen to reviews of. (Spoiler: not movies for adults.) I always ask folks to share it with a friend and I’d love to see this one shared with many friends because, God knows, I only have so many more $300 million multiverse movies in me.

'Destiny' Comes for Indiana Jones Jul 04, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if the apparent dismantling of Turner Classic Movies is a controversy or a nontroversy, before musing over what the channel should look like in a streaming-first world. Then they review Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Can James Mangold replace Steven Spielberg? Is it even fair to ask him to do so? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on the most “significant” political movies. And if you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!

The Perplexing Confection of 'Asteroid City' Jun 27, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to figure out how this Vulture feature on the work that went into making Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse depicts an abusive workplace. Then they review Wes Anderson’s new film, Asteroid City, a movie about a fictional play anthologized on a fictional TV show set in a fictional town. (The essay collection Sonny mentions, Do Not Detonate Without Presidential Approval, is available from Penguin Random House here; he strongly recommends checking it out if you desire to learn more about the influences on the film.) Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for a discussion of some of our favorite stage adaptations. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

The Summer of Flops! Jun 20, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about the summer of nine-figure bombs. With movies like Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Elemental, and The Flash all slated to lose more than $100 million at the box office—and movies like The Little Mermaid and Fast Xunlikely to break even—is it time for Hollywood to start getting insane action budgets under control? Then they reviewed The Flash, a multiversal mess of a movie. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for the bonus episode on Friday about Cormac McCarthy (RIP). And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

Was the Censorship of 'The French Connection' Inevitable? Jun 13, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss whether or not the digital censorship of The French Connection is the inevitable result of our puritanical desire to protect present audiences from past prejudices. Then they discuss Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. Sure, it’s a little boring, but at least it’s more coherent than Revenge of the Fallen! (The FAQ referenced in the episode can be found here.) Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on toy-based movies. And if you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!

'Across the Spiderverse' Is the Best-Looking Movie of the Year (So Far!) Jun 06, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask what the future of indie theatrical films looks like if festival purchases continue to crater. Then they talked about one of the best films of the year (so far!), the amazingly inventive and spectacular-looking Spider-Man, which snared all three in its beautiful web. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on Friday about cliffhanger movies. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend! A recommendation from a friend is the best way to help your favorite podcast grow.

What Went Wrong with 'The Little Mermaid'? May 30, 2023

On this week’s show, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) argue over whether or not “kink” is the right word to use when discussing a movie about a teenage mermaid. Then they discuss just went wrong with Disney’s latest live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. Make sure to swing by for the bonus episode, in which we critique Disney’s addiction to the dollars generated by these monstrosities as creativity-killing coporate endpoints. And if you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!

'Fast X'? More Like Fast Eccchhhs. Plus: Why 'wokeness' doesn't explain Disney's problems. May 23, 2023

On this week’s episode Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman explain why the phrase “go woke, go broke” obscures more than it illuminates in the case of Disney and its various business dealings/struggles. Then the gang reviews Fast X, a bad movie with a very interesting (although also possibly bad) performance at the heart of it. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode this week on the destruction—and, soon, recreation—of the cable bundle. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

Can Spoilers Make Movies Better? May 16, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if people should stop fighting the war on spoilers once and for all. Then they review the new J-Lo movie The Mother, Netflix’s number one movie. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for a special live bonus episode this Friday. (Looking forward to seeing some of you folks at the Crystal City Alamo Drafthouse tonight for the WarGames screening. Make sure to say hi if you stop by.) And if you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!

Can the Guardians of the Galaxy save the MCU? Plus: Strike Talk! May 09, 2023

Only four tickets are left for Across the Movie Aisle live, on Tuesday, May 16 at 7:30 PM at the Crystal City Alamo Drafthouse. (They’re marked as handicapped but there are actual chairs there and the rest of the tickets are sold out, so they’re fair game.) We’re showing WarGames and then talking about it (and other apocalypse-minded movies) afterward. Tickets are just $7! If we don’t sell it out, Paul Newman’s gonna have my legs broke!
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss how the writer’s strike is going to impact the present by looking at how it changed the industry in the past. If it goes on for more than a few months, I hope you’re ready for a spate of reality programming the likes of which we’ve never seen before. Then we review the summer’s first blockbuster: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3. As three folks who have grown a little tired of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we were all pleasantly surprised. But is it too little too late for the Once-Mighty Marvel Machine? And make sure to swing by for the bonus episode on Friday, when we’ll be previewing the rest of the summer. Big movies, small movies, medium-sized movies: it’s a Goldilocks summer, folks. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

WGA Goes on Strike. What's at Stake? Plus: Guy Ritchie's 'The Covenant,' reviewed! May 02, 2023

Before we get started, wanted to share a cool little thing I learned literally yesterday. Typically at a movie theater—or, at least, the movie theaters I’ve been to—the handicapped seats are just empty spots where you can fit a wheelchair. At the Crystal City Alamo Drafthouse, they’re actual chairs that can be taken out to provide a space for wheelchairs. There’s a cool little animation on the site and everything. I bring this up because there are only 11 seats left for Across the Movie Aisle’s live show on May 16th (two weeks from today!) and they’re almost all in that handicapped row. I think it’s okay for the non-wheelchaired to pick them up at this point, given that it’s basically a sell-out show?
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about the WGA strike. Why are writers hitting the picket line? What don’t studios want to give up? What will the industry look like after this work stoppage? All that and more during this discussion. (Full disclosure: we taped this Monday afternoon, more or less assuming that the strike would happen.) Then we reviewed Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant, an almost shockingly earnest war movie from the king of Brit-gangster movies.
We’ll talk more Guy Ritchie on the bonus episode this week. And speaking of bonus episodes: last Friday’s got lost in the shuffle, so we just posted it this morning. You can listen here if you’re a paid-up member of Bulwark+. And if you aren’t, you should be!

'Evil Dead' to 'Super Mario': Options for Everyone. Plus: RIP, Netflix DVD. (And don't forget about ATMA live!) Apr 25, 2023

Just a quick reminder to pick up tickets for Across the Movie Aisle live at the Alamo Drafthouse in Crystal City on Tuesday, May 16, where we’re presenting the Matthew Broderick classic WarGames. There are only 20 tickets or so left, but I’ve got good news: they’re the best seats in the house! The front row! You’ll be very close to Alyssa, Peter, and me as we do the show! Can’t ask for more than that.
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) lament the end of Netflix DVD. It was a golden age of exploration for budding cinephiles, and streaming still can’t quite match its breadth. Then the gang does something a little different: with the multiplex back to something approaching full power, there are too many movies to discuss! So we each grabbed a new (or newish) release to talk about. Alyssa’s handling The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Peter got Beau Is Afraid, and Sonny took on Evil Dead Rise. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode about the xennial relationship to social media. And if you enjoyed the episode share it with a friend!

Why Is 'Murder Mystery 2' So Popular? Plus: ATMA Live Show! Apr 18, 2023

Before we get to today’s episode, a piece of exciting news: Across the Movie Aisle is teaming up with the Alamo Drafthouse in Crystal City for a special screening of the Matthew Broderick classic Wargames (1983) on Tuesday, May 16, at 7:30 PM. Alyssa, Peter, and Sonny will all be there, and they’re going to be taping a bonus episode of the show in addition to hanging out and enjoying a draft or two. Click on this event page to buy tickets (make sure to pick Tuesday 5/16 and Crystal City.) Make sure to share this with friends who might enjoy either the pod or simply watching a movie about cinema’s apocalyptic moment!
On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to strip the HBO from HBO Max so as not to scare off fans of Dr. Pimple Popper. Then they discuss Netflix’s hit comedy Murder Mystery 2. Is this the lowest-common-denominator fuff WBD should be chasing? Did, gasp, one of our enlightened group of elite critics really enjoy this picture? You’ll have to listen to find out! Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on the best movies of the century (so far!). And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

The Entertaining Agitprop of 'Tetris' Apr 04, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss a rumor that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences want to broaden the theatrical exhibition requirement. Would this benefit theaters or just serve as a way for entrenched streaming powerhouses like Netflix to shut out mid-level distributors? Then the gang discusses Tetris, a movie that inspired confusing feelings in Peter and Sonny who, for one of the first times ever, felt ideologically pandered to by a major motion picture. Make sure to swing by Bulwark Plus for our bonus episode Friday on our favorite retro games. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
A quick programming note: We are off next week, thanks to a confluence of travel and vacation schedules, but will be back the week after.

Are the 'John Wick' Movies Deeper Than They Appear? Plus: What's the matter with Marvel? Mar 28, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) and Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) ask if the well-oiled machine that is Marvel studios is about to see the wheels come flying off. (Peter is out this week, but have no fear: He should be back next week.) And then they discuss John Wick: Chapter 4, a movie that is not only immensely fun to watch but also, possibly, sneaky-deep? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode this week on the great action franchises of the last 40 years or so. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

Is 'The Last of Us' the First Great Video Game Adaptation? Mar 21, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about departing NYT film critic A.O. Scott’s thoughts on fandom and its effect on the way we talk about movies. Then they review HBO’s hit show The Last of Us and ask a very important question: Was Joel right? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ this weekend for a bonus episode on the late, great Lance Reddick. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

Did the Oscars Get It Right? Plus: '65' Reviewed! Mar 14, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked about the Oscars. Sonny is shockingly happy. Peter is down on the whole thing. Alyssa, meanwhile, wonders how we’ll look back on this show’s snub of Tár in years to come. Then the gang reviews 65, the movie about Adam Driver fighting dinosaurs that has too little hot Driver-on-Dino action. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our members-only bonus episode on Friday. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

Is 'Creed III' a Knockout? Plus: a rant about the state of movie theater exhibition! Mar 07, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about Vulture’s exposé on the state of theatrical exhibition. Does it actually matter to audiences? And then the gang reviews a movie that seems to have won audiences over regardless of projection quality: Creed III. Is Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut a knockout? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a bonus episode on Oscar’s disrespect for stunts. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

How 'Poker Face' Recaptures that 70s Spirit. Plus: Scott Adams self-immolates. Feb 28, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Scott Adams’s decision to commit reputational suicide by Twitter Cops. Then they heap praise upon Poker Face, the show worth subscribing to Peacock for. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a deeper discussion of movie and TV detectives. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

150: Against Rewriting Roald Dahl's Books Feb 21, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if the decision to rewrite Roald Dahl to bring him more in line with the perspective of sensitivity readers is a controversy or a nontroversy. (The title of this podcast is a hint! For more on this insane story, make sure to check out Charlie’s newsletter.) Then they discuss the latest MCU blockbuster, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, a movie that looks like it’s half-done and feels like it’s half-written. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode about the state of the box office recovery. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

149: Was 'Magic Mike's Last Dance' Mesmerizing? Feb 14, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if all the famous faces at the Super Bowl mean it’s time to make selling out a dirty word again. Then they review Magic Mike’s Last Dance, a movie that doesn’t seem quite sure as to why it exists. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for an episode on Channing Tatum, one of our last movie stars. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

148: Will Netflix's Effort to Cut Off Password-Sharing Backfire? Plus: Is 'Women Talking' worth listening to? Feb 07, 2023

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) and Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post)* discussed Netflix’s plan to crack down on password sharing. It’s a fun story because there are lots of tiny violins to break out: not only for the people who think they should get something for nothing but also Netflix itself, for allowing/encouraging this behavior for so long. Then Alyssa and Sonny discuss Women Talking, the best picture nominee. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode ranking the streaming channels. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!
*Sadly, Peter Suderman (Reason) is out; he’ll be back next week.

147: 'All Quiet on the Western Front' Hints that War Is Bad Jan 31, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) highlight the dumbest Oscar controversy of all time—did Andrea Riseborough’s friends send too many emails on her behalf in helping her secure a best actress nomination?—and try to explain the broader culture war reasons this has blown up into A Whole Thing. Then they review All Quiet on the Western Front, the Netflix original that secured nine Oscar nominations and hints, ever so subtly, that war might be bad. (The message is there, but it’s all subtext; only a keen viewer will discern it.) Make sure to swing by Friday for our bonus episode on antiwar films and whether any of them can truly be “antiwar.” And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

146: 'Pale Blue Eye': Worth a Laundry-Folding Watch? Jan 24, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason), ask what it means that Chinese theaters are apparently open again for Hollywood business. Then they discuss Netflix’s new murder mystery, The Pale Blue Eye: Is it a cut above Netflix’s standard hashtag-content, or something to watch while folding laundry on a Wednesday night? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on Edgar Allan Poe. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

145: Is 'M3GAN' a Killer Good Time? Plus: will the VFX shops unionize? Jan 17, 2023

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the growing push for unionization in the visual FX industry. What will it mean for the industry—and for movie lovers—if special effects artists are treated like actual, you know, people. Then they discuss the first big hit of the new year, Blumhouse’s M3GAN. Is this your standard killer doll movie? Or is there something more? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a bonus episode on The Menu. And if you enjoyed this episode please share it with a friend!

144: 'Babylon': Big, Messy, and Kinda Fun. Plus: Sports are King in the media landscape. Jan 10, 2023

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if they’ve all been focused on the wrong thing when it comes to the future of streaming. Movies, TV shows: none of these things really matter compared to … sports. At least, financially. And then they discuss Babylon, Damien Chazelle’s woozy and wicked ode to/condemnation of Old Hollywood excess. Sure, it’s a movie about movies, but hey: movies matter too! Speaking of which, on this week’s bonus episode we’re talking about movies about movies on this movie podcast about movies. Make sure to swing by and check it out!

143: The Best Films of 2022 Jan 03, 2023

Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ring in 2023 by looking back at 2022. What were their 10 (or so!) favorite films of last year?

142: Is 'Glass Onion' a Satisfying Murder Mystery? Dec 27, 2022

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review the first of Rian Johnson’s two Knives Out sequels for Netflix, Glass Onion. Is it a mystery worthy of Benoit Blanc or something a little lesser? Before that, the gang discusses the biggest business stories of the year: streamers, sports, theaters, China, and more all get a mention. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it with a friend; listeners like you are our best advocates. And we hope you had a happy holiday!

141: Does 'Avatar: The Way of Water' Justify a Trip to Theaters? Dec 20, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) return to Pandora for James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water. Is the sequel 13 years in the making worth the wait? And then they discuss the oncoming streaming crunch. What does it mean that fewer shows will be made in the coming quarters? Make sure to swing back by Bulwark+ on Friday for a special bonus episode: it’s a James Cameron draft, people. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

140: Are Awards Season Movies Doomed at Theaters? Plus: 'Emancipation' reviewed! Dec 13, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if awards season fare has a place at the multiplex any longer. Are prestige pictures doomed to a streaming-only existence in the near future? Or will audiences come back? And then we review the streaming service Apple TV+’s award season venture Emancipation. Does it have a shot at Oscar gold? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ this Friday for our bonus episode on streaming service Netflix’s awards season animated fare, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. We are truly living in a golden age of stop-motion animation. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

139: A New 'Greatest Movie of All Time.' Plus: Plus, Steven Spielberg interrogates his life and his art in 'The Fabelmans.' Dec 06, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about the Sight and Sound’s decennial 100 Greatest Films of All Time list, which crowned a new champ … but not without controversy. Then we reviewed The Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical movie about his childhood and how the art of film shapes his relationship with the world. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on Friday, in which we’re discussing Andor is it the latest Star Wars property to be “the best since Empire?” You better believe it! If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

138: Why We Said You Can Skip 'She Said.' Plus: Where does Junot Diaz go to get his reputation back? Nov 29, 2022

On this week's episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason), talk about the sad state of Junot Diaz. Semafor's Ben Smith interviewed the novelist about his odd career limbo; why can't folks who were accused of misbehavior before being exonerated get their reputations back? Then the gang shifts to a cleaner Me Too target: Harvey Weinstein and the movie She Said, based on the book by Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor about their efforts to unveil the producer's monstrous behavior towards women. Sadly the movie isn't that good, and we try to understand why. (On this episode we also mention Ken Auletta's book, Hollywood Ending; Sonny talked to him a couple of months back about Weinstein and his enablers.)
Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on Chinese protests against draconian Covid lockdowns and the desire among the people for “cinema freedom.”

137: Why Did Bob (Iger) Push Out Bob (Chapek) at Disney? Plus: 'The Banshees of Inisherin,' reviewed. Nov 22, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the late-night drama in Burbank, where former Disney CEO Bob Iger replaced current Disney CEO Bob Chapek. From tumbling stock prices to unhappy talent to a messy reorg, things weren’t going well … but is Iger the guy to right the ship? And then the gang reviews Martin McDonagh’s latest, The Banshees of Inisherin, a darkly comic parable about friendship in a time of civil war. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for this week’s bonus episode on our favorite foodie movies. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

136: Should You See or Skip 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'? Nov 15, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to figure out why Warner Brothers can’t get a handle on one of their most valuable intellectual properties, the Harry Potter franchise. Then they review Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the MCU’s effort to grapple with the untimely death of Chadwick Boseman. Is it something you should rush out and see, or can you wait for it to show up on Disney+? Make sure to swing back by Bulwark+ on Friday for a special bonus episode in which we talk about books for kids and young adults that we love.

135: You Should Go See 'Tár.' Plus: lol, Elon. Nov 08, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review one of the best movies of the year that very few of you have gone to see: Tár. It’s a great movie about the ambiguities of our moment with an absolutely wonderful performance by Cate Blanchett at its heart. Go see it! Before that, we had some laughs at Elon’s expense as we wondered what will happen to Twitter as Musk realizes he’s made a huge mistake. Make sure to swing back by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode, in which we’ll discuss our favorite movies of the year, pre-awards-season division. And if you enjoyed this episode—or know there’s someone in your life who can use some non-election-related podcasting while we wait for results—share it with a friend!

134: Is Hollywood in a Regressive Moment? Plus: 'Ticket to Paradise,' reviewed! Nov 01, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if the New York Times is right to wonder if a backlash against diversity and casting and the #MeToo movement is upon us. Then they review Ticket to Paradise, a replacement-level romcom that tries to get by on the charms of two huge stars, George Clooney and Julia Roberts. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our special bonus episode, when our producer Sebastian Hughes will be joining us to discuss Billy Eichner’s Bros. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

133: Is 'Black Adam' a Must-See or a Must-Skip? Plus: Why has Star Wars stagnated at movie theaters? Oct 25, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask how much longer Kathleen Kennedy can stall the Star Wars theatrical slate. Then they discuss Black Adam, aka Murder Superman, and the movie’s interestingly muddled politics. Make sure to tune in on Friday for a House of the Dragon wrap up. How did the first season go? Will we be back for season number two? All that and more, this week on Across the Movie Aisle. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it with a friend!

132: Why Does Kanye Want Parler? Plus: 'Catherine, Called Birdy' reviewed! Oct 18, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask why one of the world’s most popular musicians wants to buy one of the world’s worst social media apps, Parler, and also delve into the dangers of Elon Musk’s effort to buy Twitter. After that, they review Catherine, Called Birdy, Lena Dunham’s adaptation of a YA novel set during medieval times. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for the bonus episode on Friday; we’re reviewing the critically acclaimed Netflix original, Athena. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

131: Is 'Amsterdam' the Flop of the Fall? Plus: RIP, Nikki Finke. Oct 11, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason), bid farewell to Nikki Finke, the notoriously nasty maven of Hollywood gossip who revolutionized the trade magazine business at Deadline Hollywood Daily. Then they review Amsterdam, David O. Russell’s big-budget, star-heavy flop. What went wrong with this farce about fascism? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on Friday, when we’re going to talk about the further entanglement of Disney and fantasy gambling site DraftKings. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

130: Should Billy Eichner Blame Homophobes for 'Bros' Bombing? Plus: Is 'Blonde' worth your time? Oct 04, 2022

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if it’s a controversy or a nontroversy that Billy Eichner blamed the straights for Bros bombing at the box office. Warning: there is journalist math in this section.
And then we review Blonde, a tremendously depressing movie that goes on at great length. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a special bonus episode on the tricky partnerships between news organizations and movie studios. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

129: Should You See 'Don't Worry Darling'? Plus: The controversy (or nontroversy!) of 'Jihad Rehab.' Sep 27, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if all the drama swirling about Jihad Rehab—the Sundance-selected documentary that some say never should have been made because the director is white while others say skirted questions of consent—is a controversy or a nontroversy. Then they review Don’t Worry Darling, a movie that dares to suggest that the dreamy life of the suburbs is actually, gasp, a stultifying nightmare. Make sure to swing back by Bulwark+ on Friday for their bonus episode on Avatar-mania. And if you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!

128: Is 'The Rings of Power' Worth Your Time, Precious? Sep 20, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Woody Allen’s not-quite-retirement announcement. Or “announcement.” What are we to do with his body of work? And then we discuss the hit series Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Is Middle Earth worth revisiting? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a special bonus episode comparing and contrasting The Rings of Power with another fantasy prequel: House of the Dragon. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend! Our most loyal listeners are our best evangelists.

127: 'Bodies Bodies Bodies' Versus The Discourse Sep 13, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the ways in which movie stars benefit from Netflix (huge paychecks!) and also how they’re ill-served by The Service (minimal promotion, which removes stars from the public eye). Is Netflix a boon or a secret curse for Hollywood’s biggest earners?
Then the gang reviews Bodies Bodies Bodies, a social thriller that inverts the usual politics of such pictures. Bodies Bodies Bodies is the latest from A24, the indie distributor celebrating ten years of existence this year, and we’ll have more to say about that on our special members-only bonus episode this Friday. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

126: So, How Was Your Summer? Plus: 'Three Thousand Years of Longing,' reviewed! Sep 06, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss how the movie business fared this summer. It wasn’t terrible … and it could’ve been worse … but it certainly wasn’t great, either. And then the gang reviews Three Thousand Years of Longing, George Miller’s long-awaited follow-up to Mad Max: Fury Road. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for the bonus episode on Friday, when we’re going to be talking about Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

125: Olivia Wilde's 'Don't Worry Darling' Worries. Plus: 'Samaritan' reviewed! Aug 30, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss some old-fashioned Hollywood gossip. Why is so much drama swirling about Olivia Wilde and her new movie, Don’t Worry Darling? And is it, weirdly or not-so-weirdly, helping the movie increase awareness and sell tickets to viewers? Is it tawdry prattle or classic Hollywood gossip-mongering? Why not both! (For a quick primer on all the ins and outs and what-have-yous of this scandal, check this story out or sign up for Puck and read this one by Matthew Belloni.)
After all that, we cleanse our palates with some actual movie talk: Samaritan, the new Sly Stallone film that dropped on Prime Video this week. Is it a must-watch or an easy skip? Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our special members-only bonus episode on the divergence between critics and audiences. If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!

124: 'She-Hulk' vs. 'House of the Dragon.' Plus: Lena Wilson of the NYT vs. Amandla Stenberg of 'Bodies Bodies Bodies.' Aug 23, 2022

On this week’s show, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) break down the remarkably silly fight between NYT film critic Lena Wilson and Bodies Bodies Bodies star Amandla Stenberg, a tiff that feels like it could’ve been ripped from the movie Stenberg starred in and Wilson panned. And then the gang lets you know which new show is worth your time: She-Hulk: Attorney at Law or House of the Dragon. There are nigh-on infinite viewing options and just 24 hours in the day to view them, so we’re here to help you make the tough calls about what to watch and what to skip. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for more Game of Thrones talk in our members-only bonus episode. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

123: Is 'Prey' a Good 'Predator' Movie? Plus: Salman Rushdie and the West's Shame Aug 16, 2022

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the shameful stance too many in the west took toward free expression and the ability of artists to do their work free of persecution or threat of violence from thuggish leaders like the Ayatollah of Iran. And then they review Prey, the latest entry in the Predator series now streaming on Hulu. Is it a good movie? Perhaps more importantly: is it a good Predator movie? Make sure to swing back by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode. And if you enjoyed this, share it with a friend!

122: Does the 'Batgirl' Cancellation Make Sense? Plus: 'Bullet Train,' Reviewed! Aug 09, 2022

On this week’s episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to hash out the business reasons for, uh, throwing a whole movie into the trash can. Will WB ever #ReleaseTheBatgirl? We’ll see! And then they review Bullet Train, a movie that sounds like it should be awesome but is instead just … kind of flabby. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for a special bonus episode on trains. Buster Keaton, class politics, and Tony Scott: trains have it all, man! And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend.

121: 'The Gray Man' or the Gray Meh? Aug 02, 2022

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the oncoming movie drought. We’re hitting a period when no big movies are hitting theaters over the next couple of months—but why? Then they review a movie designed to be watched at home while folding your socks: The Gray Man. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

120: Are We a Yes on 'Nope'? Plus: Did Zack Snyder go too far? Jul 26, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about Rolling Stone’s bombshell piece revealing that slightly more social media traffic around the so-called Snyder Cut was generated by bots than on the typical trending topic. And then the gang reviews Nope, Jordan Peele’s sci-fi-western-horror extravaganza. Is it a mess or profound or profoundly messy? Make sure to come back to Bulwark+ on Friday for a special bonus episode on alien design. From H.R. Giger to the Predator, what are some of the best, and worst, looks for aliens on the big screen? And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

119: Is 'Where the Crawdads Sing' Any Good? Jul 19, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review Where the Crawdads Sing, a movie playing exclusively in theaters. But before they do that, they ask if the “exclusively in theaters” part is a little, well, elitist, as suggested by Joe Russo in a recent interview. Make sure to swing back to Bulwark+ on Friday for a special bonus episode on southern storytelling. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

118: Should Coders Give Auteurs Notes? Plus: 'Thor: Love and Thunder' reviewed! Jul 12, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) have a little bit of fun with the idea that the folx coding Netflix’s recommendation algo should have any say in what the algo actually delivers to people. (You can read the story they’re discussing here.) And then they review Thor: Love and Thunder. Did they love it or hate it? Who can say? Make sure to come back to Bulwark+ on Friday for our special members-only bonus episode, where we’ll be talking about the mysterious case of the aging movie star. If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!

117: Gentleminions: Boon or Curse? Plus: 'Elvis' reviewed! Jul 05, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to figure out if the Gentleminion craze sweeping the nation—in which teens and tweens wear suits to see Minions: The Rise of Gru and get rowdy while doing so—is a controversy or nontroversy. Then they review Elvis! Make sure to swing by Friday for the special bonus episode on our own history of rowdy moviegoing. And if you loved the episode, share it with a friend!

116: 'Spiderhead' Review Jun 28, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss Netflix’s Spiderhead and the tumult at the world’s largest streamer. How is it that a film from the director of the biggest movie of the summer can release a movie starring a key part of the MCU and the star of one of Netflix’s biggest hits ever can just kind of … show up, and then disappear? How does this make sense from a business standpoint? Is the movie of the week model sustainable? Sadly, no bonus episode this week, as our travel/vacation schedules made coordinating impossible.

115: Why Did 'Lightyear' Bomb? Jun 21, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to figure out why Lightyear dramatically underperformed projections. Is this a function of new customer behavior, the burgeoning culture war Disney finds itself embroiled in, or both? And then the gang reviews Lightyear, which is at best fine and at worst not fine. Very not fine indeed. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ Friday for our conversation about the movies of 1995, sparked by Lightyear’s insistence that Lightyear is a movie that would have appealed to a child in 1995 (spoiler: it would not have). If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

114: 'Jurassic World Dominion' Review Jun 14, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the ways in which entertainment companies and the media inadvertently highlight and promote marginalized racists, a phenomenon noted by Kat Rosenfield in this essay for Unherd. And then the gang reviews Jurassic World Dominion, the latest big dumb movie in a series full of big dumb movies. Make sure to come back to Bulwark+ Friday for our bonus episode on David Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future! And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

113: 'We Own This City': The Angriest Show on Streaming Jun 07, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) discuss why Top Gun: Maverick is succeeding and whether or not it codes “conservative,” like American Sniper or The Passion of the Christ. And then they review We Own This City, David Simon and George Pelecanos’s angry look at a real-life police scandal in Baltimore streaming now in full on HBO Max. Make sure to come back to Bulwark+ for this week’s bonus episode on Friday, in which we make some more streaming recommendations for you. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

112: Is 'Top Gun: Maverick' The Summer's Best Movie? Jun 01, 2022

On this week’s Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review the biggest hit of the summer (so far!), Top Gun: Maverick. Meanwhile, the gang discusses the pluses and minuses of “militainment,” entertainment in bed with the military-industrial complex. Make sure to head back to Bulwark+ on Friday for our discussion of what makes a great summer blockbuster.

111: Did Frank Langella Deserve to Be Fired? Plus: 'Men' reviewed! May 24, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask whether or not the firing of Frank Langella (background here and here) was a controversy … or a nontroversy. Then they review Men, the new folk-horror flick from Alex Garland. What’s the matter with men—and Men? Make sure to come back for Friday’s bonus episode, in which we’ll discuss whether Tom Cruise is the last movie star or something a little weirder. And share this episode with a friend if you enjoyed it!

110: Should Netflix Have Stood Up to Its Employees? Plus: 'Moon Knight,' reviewed! May 17, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to figure out why Netflix had to clarify to their employees that hosting a breadth of content may mean working on something they disagree with ideologically. Doesn’t everyone work at a journal of ideas that tolerates dissenting viewpoints? And then they discuss Moon Knight, the Disney+ MCU series that is only mildly distinguishable from the other Disney+ MCU series despite dealing with gods and stuff. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on the renewed plague of advertisements. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

109: Should 'Doctor Strange 2' Have Been Rated R? May 10, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) consider the bubbling controversy (or nontroversy?) surrounding the PG-13 rating for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Then the gang reviews the new Sam Raimi-directed feature. Is this a bog-standard MCU movie or something more? Make sure to come back to Bulwark+ Friday for our bonus episode on the wonderful world of mainstream cultist Sam Raimi. And share this episode with a friend if you enjoyed it! Your recommendation is the best advertising money can buy.

108: Wes Anderson: Fascist? May 03, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason), discuss the dumbest cons and nons of all time. Then they review The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, the new meta-movie from Nicolas Cage. Make sure to check out the bonus episode at Bulwark+ on great movies about movies. And if you liked this episode, share it with a friend!

107: Is Netflix Doomed? Apr 26, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason), look at Netflix’s disastrous quarter and ask how they can right the ship. And they review The Northman, director Robert Eggers’s vision quest to the gates of Valhalla. Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ on Friday for our bonus episode on historical epics! And share this episode with a friend if you enjoyed it!

106: Gone Fishin' Apr 19, 2022

Hey folks, just dropping in a quick episode to say we're off this week. But we'll be back next week!

105: 'Everything Everywhere All at Once': Good ... or Great? Apr 12, 2022

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about the best movie of the year (so far!): Everything Everywhere All at Once, the trippy new sci-fi action-comedy family-drama multiversal epic from the directing duo known as Daniels. Meanwhile, in cons and nons, the gang revisits “The Slap” for, hopefully, the last time. Make sure to come back to Bulwark+ on Friday for a special bonus episode on Michael Bay’s Ambulance and the state of original action movies. And a programming note: we’ll be off next week thanks to a confluence of traveling and vacation schedules.

104: Is Cancel Culture Canceled? Apr 05, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the near-simultaneous Grammy win by Louis C.K. and delays of Will Smith movies following his attack on Chris Rock at the Oscars. Is cancel culture canceled? Or are these perfectly reasonable actions? Then the gang discusses Apollo 10 1/2, which just showed up on Netflix out of nowhere and is the best movie Oscar-nominated director Richard Linklater has ever made on the subject of boyhood. Make sure to come back to Bulwark+ for our bonus episode on the new kinda-hit movie Morbius, which is a disaster on every level. If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!

103: 'The Slap': Controversy or Nontroversy? Mar 29, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed the most controversial moment at the Oscars, and no, I’m not referring to Zack Snyder’s sweep of the fan favorite categories. We break down Will Smith’s attack on Chris Rock, using Smith’s recent memoir and his efforts to be less people-pleasing and more true to himself as a jumping-off point. Then they reviewed The Lost City, Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum’s delightful action romcom. Make sure to come back to Bulwark+ on Friday for the bonus episode about Sean Combs’s … odd interpretation of The Godfather, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

102: Why Is YA Fiction So Broken? Mar 22, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) try to make sense of the latest controversy (or possibly nontroversy!) roiling the waters of YA Twitter. Meanwhile, Peter and Alyssa try to convince Sonny that Drive My Car is better than he thinks it is. Will they succeed? Listen now to find out. And make sure to come back to Bulwark+ for Friday’s bonus episode, in which the trio discusses what should win, and what they think will win, each of the major categories. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

101: How Should Disney Have Reacted in Florida? Mar 15, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the rock and a hard place Disney CEO Bob Chapek found himself in when he was pressured by employees to respond to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Then the gang reviewed Turning Red, the new Pixar picture sent straight to Disney+. Make sure to head to Bulwark+ on Friday for our special bonus members-only episode on the joys of Pixar. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

100: ATMA Vs. 'The Batman' Mar 08, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) argue the merits and demerits of AMC charging folks more to see The Batman. Then they talk about whether or not you should see The Batman! Is it any good? Is it too long? Is it weirdly empty, politically and aesthetically? They’ll let you know! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
Make sure to swing by Bulwark+ for ATMA’s bonus episode on Friday, where the gang will be talking about how Volodymyr Zelensky’s experience as an actor has helped Ukraine win the propaganda war.

99: Can 'Coda' Win Best Picture? Mar 01, 2022

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed the efforts of cultural institutions and their response to Russia’s war on Ukraine and reviewed the best picture-nominated Coda, which just won the best ensemble category at the SAG Awards.
Full disclosure: We taped this week’s episode Monday afternoon and by Monday evening the ground underneath our cons and nons segment had shifted slightly. These are the dangers of podcasting in the midst of a fast-moving conflict. For more on the culture’s efforts to slow Russian aggression, you can read my essay at The Bulwark today.
Make sure to come back to Bulwark+ for this Friday’s bonus episode on Cyrano and the state of the modern musical at the box office. (Spoiler: things look bad for the genre!)

98: Is the Video Game Movie Curse Broken? Feb 22, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if the Oscars made a big mistake by allowing a potential Boaty McBoatfacing situation by opening up voting to the Twitter-based masses. And the gang reviewed Uncharted. Is Tom Holland the new Leonardo DiCaprio? Is the video game movie curse dead and buried? Is the movie any good? Make sure to come back to Bulwark+ for the bonus episode on Friday; we’ll have an episode on Steven Soderbergh’s new film, Kimi, for your listening pleasure. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!

97: Can Anything Save the Oscars? Feb 15, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) discuss the Oscars nominees, whether or not multiple hosts can save flagging interest, and whether or not a Twitter poll can interest audiences who feel as though the awards show snubs popular pictures. And then the gang reviews Death on the Nile, Kenneth Branagh’s followup to his adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. Make sure to swing by the Substack on Friday for our special members-only episode on the films of Ivan Reitman, who passed away over the weekend. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

96: Does Anyone Care About the Winter Olympics? Feb 09, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the myriad reasons no one cares about the Olympics and the shameful acquiescence to Chinese human rights abuses by so many in the sports media. Then the gang reviews Nightmare Alley, which just received four Oscar nominations, including a surprise best picture nod! And make sure to check out our bonus episode, in which Sonny and Peter try to explain the joy of Jackass to Alyssa.

95: Neil Young Vs. Joe Rogan Feb 02, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the raging controversy over Neil Young’s decision to remove his music from Spotify as a result of their partnership with Joe Rogan. From disinformation to audio quality to the sprawling nature of the internet to the limitless nature of boycotting people you disagree with, the topic simultaneously touches on a number of disparate topics roiling our digital—and irl—waters. (See Neil Young’s statement here; Joe Rogan’s response on Instagram here; and Sonny’s essay on the matter in the Washington Post here.) The gang also reviewed Asghar Farhadi’s Cannes favorite A Hero this week and touched on the ways truth is both slippery and concrete at the same time. And make sure to check out our special bonus episode on Peter Dinklage’s problem with Disney’s effort to remake Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

94: Why Does Hate Sell? Jan 26, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) discuss a rather terrible “breaking news” item about West Side Story’s Rachel Zegler in the Daily Beast and the broader trend of using random nobodies on Twitter as a hook for stories designed to gin up hate toward celebrities. Then they review The Lost Daughter, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s movie about a bad mom that has struck a chord with pandemic-era audiences. And on the bonus episode the gang talks about Netflix’s very bad week. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

93: How Disastrous Was Joss Whedon's NY Mag Interview? Jan 19, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason), try to figure out just how bad this profile is for its subject, Joss Whedon. Then they review The Tragedy of Macbeth, Joel Coen’s adaptation of The Bard’s play starring Denzel Washington as the titular tragic figure. And in the bonus episode, Sonny and Peter try to convince the notoriously horror-averse Alyssa to check out the Scream movies.

92: The Golden Globes Happened. Did Anyone Know or Care? Jan 12, 2022

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the complete absence of buzz about The Golden Globes and what that means for the state of moviegoing in general. Then the gang reviews Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film, Licorice Pizza. And on a sad bonus episode, they pay tribute to a quartet of major talents who have recently passed: Sidney Poitier, Peter Bogdanovich, Betty White, and Bob Saget. If you enjoyed the show, share it with a friend!

91: Is Norman Mailer Too Offensive to Be Read Today? Jan 05, 2022

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss consolidation in the book industry and whether that contributed to the potential cancellation of a book celebrating Norman Mailer’s centennial. Then the gang reviews Don’t Look Up, Netflix and Adam McKay’s messy satire. And on the bonus episode, our three hosts pick their favorite satires—and there’s a surprising thread running through them. Make sure to share this episode with a friend if you found it entertaining!

90: Should 'The Matrix' Have Been Resurrected? Dec 29, 2021

This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) unveil their five favorite movies of the year. A surprising amount of unanimity in this year’s lists! The gang reviews The Matrix Resurrections, Warner Bros. and Lana Wachowski’s super-meta reboot of the beloved franchise. And on the bonus episode, our hosts pick their favorite non-Matrix Wachowski movie. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

89: Should You See Spider-Man: No Way Home? Dec 22, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter talk about the biggest movie of the year: Spider-Man: No Way Home. Before that, in cons and nons, they ask why Disney released three pickups from Fox—West Side Story, Nightmare Alley, and The King’s Man—in such close proximity not only to each other but also what was likely to be, again, the biggest movie of the year. And on the special bonus episode, the gang tries something a little different: A Spider-Man movie draft! Make sure to listen to that and vote on the winner. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

88: Was the New Yorker Too Mean to Jeremy Strong? Dec 15, 2021

On this week’s episode, Alyssa Rosenberg of the Washington Post returns from maternity leave to join Peter Suderman (Reason) and Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) to discuss whether or not the New Yorker was too mean to Succession star Jeremy Strong in their profile of the actor. And the gang reviews Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story remake: even the notoriously musical-averse Sonny is wowed by it. Make sure to check out the special bonus episode on Steven Spielberg’s greatest collaborators. And please share this episode with a friend if you enjoyed it!

87: 'The Power of the Dog,' Netflix's Awards-Minded Western Dec 08, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch, Peter Suderman, and Chris Orr tackle Jane Campion’s western (or maybe not quite western?) The Power of the Dog. Is this a basic attack on toxic masculinity, or something a little more interesting? On cons and nons, the guys bid a not-so-fond farewell to Chris Cuomo, who has finally been fired from CNN. And the show ends on a slightly sad note, as Sonny pays tribute to Fred Hiatt, the editorial page editor at the Washington Post. Make sure to check out the bonus episode on another Netflix western, The Harder They Fall. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend!

86: The Fall of the 'House of Gucci' Dec 01, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch, Peter Suderman, and Chris Orr look at the transition of power at Twitter and muse over how to fix the service that has an outsized—and potentially ill—effect on society. And the gang reviews House of Gucci, Ridley Scott and Lady Gaga’s overlong and over-accented look at one absurd Italian family. And on the bonus episode, the guys fete the career of Adam Driver, who has worked with a dozen or so A-list directors during his brief Hollywood career. If you love the show and want access to that bonus episode, make sure to sign up for Bulwark+!

85: 'King Richard' Kicks Off the Oscar Race Nov 24, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch, Peter Suderman, and Chris Orr highlight the first genuine, nominations-guaranteed piece of Oscar bait of the season: Will Smith’s King Richard, a look at the man behind the women who would go on to become the greatest female tennis players of all time. And in controversies and nontroversies, the guys debate whether or not Sean Baker, director of Tangerine and The Florida Project, deserves to have his new film, Red Rocket, destroyed pre-release because he liked a tweet by Tulsi Gabbard—and the danger of ideological uniformity in the critical corps. Make sure to check out our members-only bonus episode on Will Smith’s body of work, and share this episode with a friend if you enjoyed it!

84: Are NFTs a Scam, the Future, or Both? Plus: 'Belfast' Reviewed! Nov 17, 2021

On this week’s episode Sonny Bunch, Peter Suderman, and Chris Orr talk about non-fungible tokens, and the scarcity and value of art. They also review Belfast, Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical look at growing up in Northern Ireland during The Troubles. And on the bonus episode they consider the most disposable—and, possibly, most-watched—movie of the year, Red Notice. If you enjoyed the episode share it with a friend!

83: Is Big Bird a Government Propagandist? Nov 10, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch, Peter Suderman, and Chris Orr ask whether it’s a controversy or a nontroversy that Big Bird is reassuring kids that getting shots won’t hurt them. And they review Eternals: Is it Marvel’s first DC movie? And on the bonus episode and in honor of Eternals earning the MCU its first splat on Rotten Tomatoes, the gang discusses their favorite rotten movies from beloved franchises. If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!

82: Art, Fussiness, and 'The French Dispatch' Nov 03, 2021

This week, Sonny Bunch, Peter Suderman, and Chris Orr review The French Dispatch, Wes Anderson’s love letter to the New Yorker and art of all kinds. And we discuss the disastrous state of affairs in world cinema, where rising authoritarianism threatens the cinematic arts from Hong Kong to Kabul. What can the U.S. do to help? And on a special members-only episode, Sonny, Peter, and Chris discuss their favorite performances in Wes Anderson movies.

81: 'Dune' Reviewed Oct 27, 2021

On this week’s episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny is joined by Peter Suderman and Chris Orr, who will be filling in for Alyssa while she’s on maternity leave. We discussed the tragedy on the set of Rust, a film that was in production until Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed the director of photography, Halyna Hutchins, and wounded director Joel Souza. What are some of the things that went wrong here, who, ultimately, is to blame, and how bad has the discourse gotten around it? Sonny and co also reviewed Dune, the new epic in theaters and on HBO Max. And in the bonus episode, the three discussed which of the movies by director Denis Villeneuve is their favorite, and why. If you haven’t already, subscribe now to listen to that one today!

80: Is Netflix's Handling of Dave Chappelle a Controversy or a Nontroversy? Oct 20, 2021

On this episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask whether Dave Chappelle, his new special, and the way Netflix has handled internal and external fallout from its airing, are controversies, or nontroversies. Then the gang reviews The Last Duel, a/k/a Medieval Me Too. (For more on The Last Duel, you can read Sonny here, Alyssa here, and Peter here.) Make sure to listen all the way to end for a special programming note! And check out our bonus episode on our favorite Ridley Scott movies. There are so many to choose from!

79: 'No Time to Die' Oct 13, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) highlight the IATSE union work stoppage that seems pretty inevitable at this point. What do Hollywood’s trade unions want, in terms of money and work-life balance? Then the gang sets their sights on Bond, James Bond. Did they enjoy Daniel Craig’s final turn as 007? And, in the bonus episode, they discuss whether Craig is their favorite Bond or a mere also-ran. If you enjoyed the show share it with a friend! If they don’t want to sign up via Substack they can get it a day later on Apple.

78: Does 'The Many Saints of Newark' Do 'The Sopranos' Right? Oct 06, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) break down the strange story of Ozy Media, the various scams of which have been chronicled by the NYT’s Ben Smith in recent weeks, and the overall state of media accountability. Then they review The Many Saints of Newark, David Chase and HBO’s new prequel to The Sopranos currently in theaters and on HBO Max. And in the members-only bonus episode, the gang debates the biggest question in the history of prestige TV: What, exactly, happened to Tony Soprano at the end of the series? Sign up now to listen today!

77: 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' Sep 29, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the legal back and forth between Disney and the estates of Marvel’s most famous creators, including those of Steve Ditko and Stan Lee, as well as fan reactions to the (very slight!) possibility that copyright termination notices will be the death of the MCU as we know it. Is legal wrangling the kryptonite (sorry, mixing universes) that will slay the biggest film franchise in movie history? The gang also reviews The Eyes of Tammy Faye, asking why it feels so slight given the overtly theatrical nature of the subject in question. And make sure to check out our members-only bonus episode on musical biopics and why the genre feels fairly moribund; if you aren’t a member yet, you have five days left to take advantage of our 30-day free trial offer.

76: Why Shouldn't Activists Have to Compete? Sep 22, 2021

This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post, and Peter Suderman (Reason) take a look at the controversy swirling about CBS’s instantly canceled show, The Activist. What’s so bad about making activists compete for attention dollars? And the gang reviews Cry Macho, the latest from director-star Clint Eastwood. Is he too old for this movie, or is Sonny a despicable ageist. Make sure to check out our bonus episode on our favorite Eastwood-directed movies.
If you’re a Bulwark+ member you can listen to the show on your preferred podcast app today via a personalized RSS feed; this episode will drop on Apple et al. tomorrow if you don’t want to help keep the show sustainable and you can find your preferred service here. If you’re not a Bulwark+ member, sign up today for a 30-day trial that will get you the personalized RSS feed, unlock the bonus episode above, and grant you access to the comments section of this episode.

75: 'The Card Counter' Sep 17, 2021

This week Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), Peter Suderman (Reason), and Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) discuss the pros and cons of advice columns and whether or not it’s okay—or, frankly, just plain hilarious—to lie to advice columnists. And the gang reviews Paul Schrader’s The Card Counter (Sonny’s review here; Peter’s here). Make sure to check out our bonus episode on Oscar Isaac’s great decade of work, and share this episode with friends if you dug it! Our survival depends on listeners like you.

74: Did 'Shang-Chi' Save Movie Theaters? Sep 09, 2021

Alyssa (The Washington Post), Peter Suderman (Reason), and Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) know folks are a little tired of MCU-centric episodes, but this week demonstrates why it’s a constant topic of conversation: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings grossed $75 million over its first three-day weekend and almost $95 million once Labor Day was included. Does this prove Disney was correct to keep the film off of home video for at least 45 days? Or are the people complaining about not getting to see the movie at home right? And we review the latest MCU outing. Don’t worry: next week we’ll get to something that fewer people will watch, we promise. And make sure to check out our bonus episode on the tragic death of Michael K. Williams (The Wire).
If you enjoyed Shang-Chi or just liked listening to us talk about it, please share the episode with your friends! We’d greatly appreciate it if you did.

73: Do the Movies Have a Conspiracy Theory Problem? Plus: "What If...?" Sep 01, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the controversy (or possibly the nontroversy?) surrounding Spike Lee’s inclusion of 9/11 Truthers in his new documentary about New York City’s last 20 years. (To get a full sense of the issue, make sure to read this Slate piece by Jeremy Stahl on what Lee included.) Do filmmakers have a conspiracy theory problem? Are they poisoning the minds of their vulnerable listenership? And the gang also discusses Disney+’s What If … ?, the new animated series highlighting alternate universes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Spoiler: It’s not great, Bob.
And make sure to check out our members-only bonus episode on Candyman, a movie Alyssa was too scared to watch but which Sonny and Peter found fascinating; you can sign up here to listen now if you haven’t already.

72: Why Did Jeopardy Lose Its New Host in Record Time? And 'Reminiscence' Reviewed! Aug 25, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) argue about whether or not the controversy swirling around Jeopardy’s hosting post is a controversy or a nontroversy. Why didn’t Sony do a better job of vetting their host? In the back half of the show, the gang reviews Reminiscence, the neo-noir from Westworld mastermind Lisa Joy starring Hugh Jackman. Is it worth making a trip to the theater or checking out on HBO Max? And make sure to check out the special bonus episode on taking kids to the theater. As one of us mentioned after we wrapped taping, this episode is like the Rosetta Stone to Across the Movie Aisle and its hosts: if you want to understand who we are, you have to understand the cinematic forces that shaped us.

71: Why Is Shang Chi Going to War with Disney's Chief? Aug 18, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) address whether it’s a controversy or a nontroversy that the star of Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is calling out the head of Disney for saying the film’s release—a 45-day theatrical run followed by the film’s release on streaming—is an “experiment.” Is this all a ploy to turn the movie into a righteous cause rather than a popcorn-consumption excuse? Then the gang reviews Free Guy, the new Ryan Reynolds action-romcom. It too is only in theaters: is it worth checking out? And make sure to check out our members-only bonus episode on Vietnam movies and the ways in which film can serve as a lens for national trauma, a subject that certainly has absolutely nothing to do with the current news cycle.

70: 'The Suicide Squad' Aug 11, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) all agree that James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad is, basically, a nine-figure descendant of The Toxic Avenger. But does that make it good, or expensive, overbearing schlock? And they debate whether or not Johnny Depp should be given the lifetime achievement award at the San Sebastian Film Festival … but they’re not debating the thing you think they might be debating. And make sure to check out the special bonus episode on spoilers and spoiler theory. Unless, of course, you want to watch The Green Knight first. It’ll still be there when you get back from the theater.

69: Scarlett Johansson Sues Disney: Can She Win? Aug 04, 2021

This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) take a hard look at Scarlett Johansson’s suit against Disney alleging that the Mouse House’s dual VOD/theatrical strategy will cost her upwards of $50 million. Is this is a game-changing moment in the relationships between movie stars and studios? Or is she going to get steamrolled? Plus: the gang reviews The Green Knight, an amusingly weird indie flick of the sort that critics love and audiences generally do not. And make sure to check out our special bonus episode, in which Alyssa tries to convince Sonny and Peter to go see Stillwater.

If you enjoy the show, please pass it on to a friend! They’ll thank you, and so will we.

68: 'Pig': The Best Movie of 2021 (So Far!) Jul 28, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the new Nicolas Cage movie, Pig. Why do all three concur that it’s probably the best movie they’ve seen in theaters this year? Plus, Netflix is getting into gaming! What does that mean for the movie streaming service and its customers? Make sure to check out our special bonus episode on our favorite Nic Cage movies. We’ve got a ton to choose from: five distinct decades of Cage! And please, if you love what you’re listening to, share this show with people. They’ll thank you for it, I swear.

67: Anthony Bourdain Documentary 'Roadrunner' Controversy Jul 21, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) go deep on the controversies swirling about the new documentary about Anthony Bourdain, Roadrunner. Is it a big deal that the director used an AI program to have Bourdain narrate some of his emails? Is it a much bigger deal that the documentary excludes the point of view of his ex, Asia Argento, despite casting her as the villain of his final few years? And on the back half of the show, the gang discusses Loki, the latest TV show from the MCU which just wrapped up its first season on Disney+. Have they solved the multiverse problem? What *is* the multiverse problem?
Make sure to check out the bonus episode on the Tokyo Olympics and how we’re living with COVID in a post-vaccine age. And if you enjoy this show, please share it with a friend! Sharing this podcast with a friend not only brings them joy, it helps increase our fantastic power over the world of entertainment.

66: 'Black Widow' Jul 14, 2021

This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) assembled for a rare in-person show to discuss the biggest movie of the year (so far!), Black Widow. Is it fine? Okay? Acceptable? Perfectly competent? Listen to find out! Plus, the gang discusses the ethics of using personal histories of non-famous people in response to revelations that parts of the viral New Yorker short story, “Cat Person,” were cribbed from a real person. And on the special bonus episode, we highlight Marvel’s villain problem.
If you enjoy this show, please share it with a friend! It’s the best way to grow podcast audiences: a recommendation from a friend.

65: 'The Tomorrow War' Jul 08, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the great Richard Donner, who died on Monday at the age of 91. They also discuss the new Prime Video offering The Tomorrow War. Is it a modern sci-fi masterpiece or a bit of a mess? Listen to find out! And make sure to check out our bonus members-only episode on the greatest movie presidents.

64: 'F9' Review Jun 30, 2021

This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) tackle the first big blockbuster of the post-COVID era: F9: The Fast Saga. Noted fun-hater Sonny did not care for it. But did Alyssa and Peter? You’ll have to listen to find out. And in controversies and nontroversies, we take a look at a growing problem for Hollywood: China’s increasing influence on which projects get off the ground. Make sure to listen to our special members-only episode on car movies that are actually good, unlike, well, you know. Some other car movies we all know.

63: 'The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard's' Podcast Jun 23, 2021

On this week’s episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss whether or not Focus Features is correct in their effort to silence outspoken writer-director and social media gadfly Paul Schrader. Plus, they review the remarkably bad The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard. And make sure to check out our special bonus episode on dad movies as a belated Father’s Day treat.

62: In the Heights Jun 16, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) takes a back set to let Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) review the new Lin-Manuel Miranda musical, In the Heights. Did it make our panel’s toes tap with joy? Or did it make them check their watches? (Spoiler: the answer is yes.) And in controversies and nontroversies, we discuss a new documentary about the film Kids making waves on the festival circuit. Is enough being done to protect younger and non-professional actors? Also, make sure to a.) subscribe to Bulwark+ and then b.) check out our special bonus members-only episode on our favorite movies adapted from plays.

61: 'The Woman in the Window' Review Jun 10, 2021

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) discuss Netflix’s The Woman in the Window, a fantastic mess of a movie. But is it more fantastic, or more mess? And we wonder about AMC’s decision to play nice with the memesters who are driving up AMC’s share prices by offering them free popcorn for investing. Will this all end in tears? And make sure to check out our special bonus episode for members of Bulwark+ (subscribe now!), in which we pick some of our favorite movies tied to very specific cities.

60: 'Cruella': Cruelty to Critics Jun 03, 2021

Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (the Washington Post) and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) were all underwhelmed by Cruella, Disney’s latest IP-mining cash grab. Plus, they debated about the end of mask mandates in theaters for the fully vaccinated and what it means for our shifting social norms. And if you want to comment or listen to our special members-only episode on long movies we love, make sure to subscribe to Bulwark+ today!

59: 'Army of the Dead'; MGM & Amazon May 26, 2021

This week on the show, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discussed Netflix’s long-awaited Zack Snyder zombie heist opus, Army of the Dead. Meanwhile, in cons and nons, the gang discussed the MGM/Amazon deal and if it’s a break from the past—or a continuation of it. Meanwhile, on the special bonus episode, the trio picked which indie directors they’d give free rein to for a big franchise movie. The comments are open on both posts for Bulwark+ members, so sign up now if you want to chime in!

58: 'Those Who Wish Me Dead' Review May 19, 2021

This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review Taylor Sheridan’s new fire jumping flick, Those Who Wish Me Dead. Is this ’90s throwback a hit or a miss? Or just kind of generic and lumpy? Plus, we ask whether or not the once-canceled, now-revived biography of Philip Roth by Blake Bailey should see the light of day, given sexual assault accusations leveled against Bailey. And make sure to check out our members-only episode on the Warner Media/Discovery merger: we have many thoughts about the increasingly costly nature of unbundling!

57: 'Wrath of Man' Escapes ATMA's Wrath May 12, 2021

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) discuss NBC’s decision to pull the plug on next year’s Golden Globes following a series of controversies surrounding the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. And the gang debates the merits of the new Guy Ritchie/Jason Statham action heist thriller, Wrath of Man. Make sure to check out the bonus members-only episode in which we debate which Jason Statham movie is best! And if you enjoy the show, make sure to share it with a friend. It’s as easy as clicking that button down there and forwarding it along.

56: 'Without Remorse' Inspires Viewer Remorse May 05, 2021

Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman are all experiencing buyer’s remorse this week after sitting through the not-quite mediocre Without Remorse. Plus, the gang talks about the Rosenberg-edited op-ed by Lucy Liu in the Washington Post about what it means to achieve progress in representation onscreen—and why young progressive critics are wrong to cast a negative eye on some of Liu’s previous work. And make sure to check out our bonus episode on all things MCU. Can the Avengers Assemble in time to save theaters? Or has COVID killed cinemas for good? If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend! (As long as that friend isn’t Michael B. Jordan, as two of the three of us were … not blown away by his Without Remorse performance, and the third of us, Peter Suderman, was wrong.)

55: Is 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' As Interesting as It Thinks It Is? Apr 28, 2021

Sonny (The Bulwark), Alyssa (The Washington Post), and Peter (Reason) have a lot of thoughts about the Oscars, both the show and the winners. And we have a lot of thoughts about The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, a TV show that thinks it has a lot of thoughts, but none of them really go anywhere. Leaving that aside, though: was it any good and is it worth six hours of your time! All that and more discussed on this week’s episode of Across the Movie Aisle!

54: Should the Oscars Ditch Political Speeches? Apr 21, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) asks Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) if a recent report in the New York Times proves once and for all that celebs should ditch the politics if they want the Oscars to be watchable. (Spoiler: It’s complicated!) And the gang makes their Oscar picks. Who SHOULD win? Who WILL win? Plus, on our special bonus episode, we pick the best best picture nominees of the last decade.

53: Is Will Smith Right to Bail on Georgia? Plus: 'The Father,' Reviewed! Apr 14, 2021

Sonny (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) ask whether or not Will Smith and Antoine Fuqua were right to pull Emancipation out of Georgie over its voting rights law—or whether Georgia should be the go-to spot for film production at all. And then the gang reviews The Father, a devastating portrait of dementia that maybe, just maybe, is the best of the best picture-nominated films. And make sure to check out our members-only bonus episode in which we ask whether or not Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson should run for president. (Alyssa, it should be noted, was his earliest booster on this front.)

52: 'Godzilla vs. Kong' vs. ATMA Apr 07, 2021

What did Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) think of Godzilla vs. Kong? And in cons-and-nons, the gang discusses the fact that basically nobody has heard of the best picture nominees as this year’s Oscars. Note: That’s heard of, not seen. How will this impact the show’s appeal to the regular public? (Spoiler: negatively!) Make sure to check out our bonus episode about Godzilla vs. Kong's box office success and how it’ll effect movie theater stocks! (Spoiler: positively!)

51: 'Nobody' Reviewed! Plus, Plus: Are depictions of Asian-Americans in media a controversy—or a nontroversy? Mar 31, 2021

This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) review the new Bob Odenkirk action movie, Nobody. Does the Mr. Show with Bob and David and Better Call Saul actor have action chops to go with comedic range and a surprising dramatic depth? Plus, we discuss how Asian representation onscreen may or may not have contributed to the shooting in Atlanta in Controversies and Nontroversies. And make sure to check out our bonus members-only episode in which the gang ranks their favorite character actors.

50: The Snyder Cut, Reviewed Mar 24, 2021

Finally, it’s here: Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talk about Zack Snyder’s Justice League, a/k/a, “The Snyder Cut.” Is it everything they hoped it could be? At the very least: is it better than the abominable Whedon Cut? Plus: Why is Borat 2 winning awards for its screenplay? Isn’t it largely improvised? All that and more on this week’s episode of Across the Movie Aisle! And make sure to check out our special members-only episode on COVID’s lasting impact on films and filmmaking.

49: 'Raya and the Last Dragon' Reviewed! Mar 17, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) review the really-not-great Raya and the Last Dragon. Is it worth your $30 on Disney+’s premium tier? Maybe you should see it in a theater instead? But can you even do that? That’s the subject of controversies and nontroversies, which tackles D.C.’s slowness to reopen its movie theaters. And make sure to check out our special bonus episode on the Oscar nominations. Who was snubbed? Who was surprised? Will anyone tune in?

48: 'Coming 2 America' Reviewed! Plus: What's the Deal with the Royals? Mar 10, 2021

On this week’s episode, Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post) fills in Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark) and Peter Suderman (Reason) about the whole to-do over Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s and their interview with Oprah. And the gang reviews Coming 2 America! Is it an exciting new adventure or a stale old rehash? You’ll never guess just by looking at the image at the top of this post … or will you? Also, make sure to check out our special bonus episode on what to watch for International Women’s Day! (Which was yesterday, yes, we know, but if it makes you feel any better, it’s Women’s History Month, so you have a whole month to celebrate Alyssa and watch the movies we recommend, okay?)

47: The Golden Globes Stank. Plus: 'Minari' Reviewed! Mar 02, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) talked about the incredibly, spectacularly, dreadfully awful (and historically poorly watched) Golden Globes. The gang also reviewed awards-season darling Minari, a family drama about immigrants trying to achieve the American dream in the middle of Arkansas. And make sure to check out our special members-only episode about the end of Peak TV!

46: 'Nomadland' Reviewed! Plus: Are the Golden Globes (and Critics More Generally) Corrupt? Feb 23, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the corruption at the Golden Globes—and the world of awards-season film criticism more generally. And the gang reviews Nomadland, a movie about the natural beauty of the American west that doesn’t beat viewers over the head with its implied message about the vicissitudes of capitalism. And make sure to check out this week’s special bonus episode in which we discuss whether or not it’s too soon for disgraced director Brett Ratner to go back to work.

45: 'Judas and the Black Messiah' and Gina Carano Feb 17, 2021

This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman tackle a surprisingly tricky cons and nons: Gina Carano, who was canceled and un-canceled over the course of last week. And they review the new film on HBO Max and in theaters, Judas and the Black Messiah, about the life and death of Fred Hampton and the man who betrayed him, Bill O’Neal. And make sure to check out our bonus, members-only episode on the greatest artistic achievement of this, or any other, decade: the Snyder Cut of Justice League, the first trailer for which dropped this weekend. Only at atma.thebulwark.com!

44: Trump v. SAG: Who Ya Got? Plus: 'Malcolm & Marie,' Reviewed! Feb 09, 2021

On this episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) get into the day’s two most pressing rivalries. No, not the Bucs versus Chiefs and hedge funds versus Reddit. First up: Donald Trump vs. the Screen Actors Guild. The president petulantly resigned from the actors union when word began circulating in the trades that Trump was going to be kicked out. But (gulp) … did he have half-a-point? Then we move to the main event: Malcolm & Marie v. film critics. Filmmaker Sam Levinson has issues with movie reviewers and has been given an enormous platform by Netflix to air them. But (gulp) … does he have a whole point, plus some? And make sure to check out our bonus, members-only episode on the Super Bowl’s slate of super-sad movie ads. We live in the darkest timeline, folks!

43: 'The Little Things,' Reviewed. Plus: 'Variety' Betrays Its Critic—and Its Audience Feb 02, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review the new thriller The Little Things. Are three Oscar-winners (Denzel Washington, Jared Leto, and Rami Malek) enough to put this one over the top? In controversies and nontroversies, the gang tries to suss out why industry rag Variety threw one of its freelance critics under the bus by appending a correction to his review of Promising Young Women. His mistake? Offending a movie star in the midst of an Oscar campaign. And on the special members-only bonus episode (sign up today!), our trio talks about the biggest movie business of the week: Reddit’s accidental salvation of AMC.

42: 'Promising Young Woman' Reviewed! Plus: Seth Rogen v. Ted Cruz. Jan 26, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the provocative new movie Promising Young Woman. Meanwhile, in controversies and nontroversies, the gang weighs in on the Ted Cruz/Seth Rogen spat. And make sure to sign up for Bulwark+ so you can listen to a members-only bonus episode on Joe Biden’s watch and the aesthetics of politics.

41: 'Wandavision' Reviewed! Plus, Armie Hammer's Cannibalism Conundrum Jan 19, 2021

This week on Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) review the MCU’s big new release: Wandavision, now streaming on Disney+. Plus, in controversies and nontroversies: how much privacy Armie Hammer should be afforded after he felt forced to abandon a movie shoot following the release of damaging DMs and claims of controlling behavior by an ex-girlfriend? And don’t forget to check out our Substack members-only episode on the defining films of the Trump Era at atma.thebulwark.com! You won’t want to miss Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter’s choices there.

40: QAnon and Conspiracy Media; Plus: 'Lovers Rock,' Reviewed! Jan 12, 2021

On this week’s episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the ways in which culture and technology helped influence the unchecked spread of QAnon-style conspiracy theories. And the gang reviews “Lovers Rock,” the much-ballyhooed installment of Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe” series on Amazon and BBC. Also: make sure to check out this week’s special bonus episode of Across the Movie Aisle, in which Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter discuss Arnold Schwarzenegger’s moving address to the American people.

39: 'Soul' Reviewed, Plus: A Special Look at Bruce Willis's Filmography Jan 05, 2021

On the latest episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) discuss the strange late-career filmography of Bruce Willis and the surge in stars cashing in on their personae for straight-to-DVD-and-VOD projects. And they review Pixar’s new piece of emotional terrorism, Soul. Is it good for kids and adults? Does it avoid answering the tough, and touchy, questions that it raises? All this and more on today’s episode!

38: 'WW84' Reviewed; Plus: Best Movies/Shows of 2020, Chosen! Dec 29, 2020

On this special year-end episode of Across the Movie Aisle—and what a weird year it has been—Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) pick their top movies, shows, and games of the year. So much #content, such little time to discuss it all. And they review HBO Max’s hit new movie, Wonder Woman 1984. Is it as bad as the critics are suggesting? Or is it totally, you know, kind of acceptable as a piece of entertainment-like filmmaking, more or less? Listen now to find out!

37: 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' Reviewed; Plus, Barack Obama's Best-Of List Analyzed Dec 22, 2020

On this episode, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) break down Barack Obama’s list of the year’s best movies and TV shows and wonder why it is people cannot accept he loves the middlebrow features beloved by the hosts of Across the Movie Aisle. Then they review Netflix’s new feature, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom! Alyssa provides a deep dive on the plays of August Wilson and then the gang discusses how, exactly, a filmed play translates to “cinema.”

36: Sound of Metal; Plus Directors vs. WB Dec 15, 2020

This week Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason Magazine) review the critically acclaimed new movie, Sound of Metal, streaming on Amazon now. And in controversies and nontroversies, they discuss whether or not directors are ingrates for being upset at Warner Bros. for dropping their whole 2021 slate on theaters and HBO Max simultaneously.

35: 'Mank' Reviewed, Plus: WB Dumps Its Slate to HBO Max Dec 08, 2020

On this week’s episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter talk about the politics at the heart of David Fincher’s new Netflix movie Mank, a film that is nominally about the writing of Citizen Kane but is actually about something much deeper. And, in controversies and nontroversies, the trio take a look at the shocking decision by Warner Bros. to release their entire 2021 film slate on HBO Max and in theaters simultaneously. Is Christopher Nolan right when he says that “Some of our industry’s biggest filmmakers and most important movie stars went to bed the night before thinking they were working for the greatest movie studio and woke up to find out they were working for the worst streaming service” — or is that a bit of an overreaction?

34: 'Let Him Go' Reviewed, Plus: A Box Office Rebirth? Dec 01, 2020

On the latest episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask in controversies and nontroversies why the box office had an unexpectedly “good” week. And the trio reviewed the newish Kevin Costner/Diane Lane joint, Let Him Go.

33: Hillbilly Elegy Nov 25, 2020

Across the Movie Aisle Returns! Many thanks to the good folks at The Bulwark for resurrecting the podcast, which can be pithily described as “Left, Right, and Center” meets “Siskel and Ebert.”
This week, Sonny Bunch (The Bulwark), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) ask if it’s a controversy or a nontroversy that WW84 is moving to HBO Max at no extra cost. And they review Ron Howard’s Hillbilly Elegy while trying to suss out just why its existence has made so many critics so crotchety.

32: Life After Trump, Netflix's Regrets, and Nolan's BO Nov 05, 2020

Back, for one week only! (Unless your demand ensures the show gets picked up by The Bulwark, that is.) Sonny, Peter, and Alyssa talk about the world of movies and movie writing post-Trump. Is Christopher Nolan right that Hollywood studios should be looking to foreign box office dollars? Does Netflix have buyer's remorse about their mega-deals with super-producers? And now that The Trump Show is coming to a close, will the world of cultural writing be able to focus a bit more on, you know, the culture?

31: The Vast of Night Jun 01, 2020

This week on Across the Movie Aisle your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman discuss Apple picking up the tab for Martin Scorsese’s latest, review the new-to-Prime indie flick, THE VAST OF NIGHT (21:40), and heatedly (but pleasantly!) discuss Christopher McQuarrie’s directorial debut, THE WAY OF THE GUN (36:42).

30: The Lovebirds May 25, 2020

This week on Across the Movie Aisle, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman celebrate the release of the Snyder Cut, ponder whether totally mediocre is the new above average while discussing THE LOVEBIRDS (15:58), and revisit Jean Luc Godard’s BAND OF OUTSIDERS in assigned viewing (30:50).

29: Capone May 18, 2020

This week on Across the Movie Aisle, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman discuss Saudi Arabia’s investments in Live Nation and Carnival Cruises, pour dirt upon the grave of CAPONE (11:52), and revisit Miyazaki’s classic SPIRITED AWAY (29:59).

28: Arkansas May 11, 2020

This week on Across the Movie Aisle, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman ask whether or not Christopher Nolan can save movie theaters, discuss the Southern noirish blackly comic thriller ARKANSAS (17:46), and wrap things up with something far more uplifting: THE DEATH OF STALIN (30:42)!

27: Extraction May 04, 2020

This week on Across the Movie Aisle, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman wonder how moves by the Oscars and Universal will impact theatrical exhibition, discuss the Netflix Original EXTRACTION (16:58), and take a look back at BONNIE AND CLYDE (31:12).

26: Mrs. America Apr 27, 2020

This week on Across the Movie Aisle, presented by cGMP Consulting, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman discuss whether or not there’s any role for Congress to play in tamping down Hollywood’s love for China, talked about MRS. AMERICA, the Phylis Schlafly bio-show on Hulu (14:55), and looked back at Buster Keaton’s THE GENERAL (33:51). And make sure to check out REBELLER’s first book, THEY CALLED ME WYATT, available at Amazon right now: https://amzn.to/358FuEC.

25: Lost Girls Apr 20, 2020

This week on Across the Movie Aisle, presented by cGMP Consulting, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman discuss whether or not the WWE is an “essential” business, talk about the Netflix Original LOST GIRLS (17:06), and look back fondly at the bromance, but not the romance, of TOMBSTONE (31:04).

24: Devs Apr 13, 2020

This week, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman discuss Louis CK’s surprise new special, discuss DEVS, the best show streaming now that you might not even know about (17:40), and break down UNBELIEVABLE in assigned viewing (34:28). If you like the show, consider signing up for two free months of REBELLER since, as I mention on each and every program, if you don’t sign up, we don’t get to keep doing this. https://shop.cinestate.com/products/rebeller-free-2-month-trial

23: Spenser Confidential Apr 06, 2020

This week, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman discuss the rise of streaming and the impending demise of theatrical exhibition, try to suss out just why SPENSER CONFIDENTIAL is so bland (15:25), and revisit the zombie apocalypse as presented in 28 DAYS LATER (34:23). If you like the show, consider signing up for two free months of REBELLER since, as I mention on each and every program, if you don’t sign up, we don’t get to keep doing this. https://shop.cinestate.com/products/rebeller-free-2-month-trial

22: Contagion Mar 30, 2020

This week, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman discuss China’s re-shuttering of their movie theaters, break down why CONTAGION is timely and relevant while OUTBREAK feels stale (11:52), and analyze DEEPWATER HORIZON as a way to prepare for SPENCER CONFIDENTIAL (31:12). If you like the show, consider signing up for two free months of REBELLER since, as I mention on each and every program, if you don’t sign up, we don’t get to keep doing this. https://shop.cinestate.com/products/rebeller-free-2-month-trial

21: The Hunt Mar 23, 2020

This week, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman discuss the movie theater apocalypse, figure out who got triggered while watching THE HUNT (15:02), and break down 90s viral blockbuster OUTBREAK (34:35) for reasons that have nothing to do with the news whatsoever. As mentioned on today’s episode, REBELLER is offering two free months at RebellerMedia.com. Just click the link here to redeem this limited time offer! http://bit.ly/REBELLERfree

Week Off! Mar 16, 2020

As we announced at the end of last week’s episode, Across the Movie Aisle is off this week. If you need your Sonny fix, make sure to check out RebellerMedia.com, where he has an essay on THE HUNT up now. And if you prefer your content in podcast form, check out FANGORIA Frequencies, where REBELLER’s sister publication has interviews with THE HUNT director Craig Zobel and star Ethan Suplee.

20: The Way Back Mar 09, 2020

This week, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman discuss the Coronavirus’s impact on the movie business, break down THE WAY BACK (17:05), and highlight HARD TARGET (32:50) the greatest movie ever made in which Jean Claude Van Damme punches a snake unconscious.

19: The Invisible Man Mar 02, 2020

This week, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman discuss whether or not Amazon Prime’s HUNTERS goes too far, work through THE INVISIBLE MAN’s messages, and watch THE ACCOUNTANT to prepare for THE WAY BACK.

18: The Call of the Wild Feb 24, 2020

This week, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman ask if Donald Trump is right about PARASITE, discuss the creepy fake dog movie THE CALL OF THE WILD, and watch UPGRADE to prepare for THE INVISIBLE MAN.

17: Birds of Prey Feb 17, 2020

This week, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alysa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman ask if Wes Anderson’s movies are too white, as some on the Internet claim, review BIRDS OF PREY, and watch Jon Favreau's JUNGLE BOOK remake to prepare for CALL OF THE WILD.

16: Parasite Feb 10, 2020

This week, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman ask when the assistants in Hollywood are going to get their time to shine, discuss Bong Joon-Ho’s awards season favorite, PARASITE, and watch SUCKER PUNCH to prepare for BIRDS OF PREY.

15: The Gentlemen Feb 03, 2020

This week, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman wonder why Oprah backed out of a #MeToo documentary, review THE GENTLEMEN, and watch SNOWPIERCER to prepare themselves for PARASITE.

14: Marriage Story Jan 27, 2020

This week, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman preview the Oscars, review Oscar-nominated MARRIAGE STORY, and watch LOCK STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS in preparation for Guy Ritchie’s return to the British gangster flick, THE GENTLEMEN.

13: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Jan 20, 2020

This week, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman discuss the uncertainty of TV schedules in the age of streaming, review ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, and watch Noah Baumbach's THE SQUID AND THE WHALE to prepare themselves for MARRIAGE STORY.

12: 1917 Jan 13, 2020

The gang discusses WB’s plan to use a computer program to determine what movies you should watch in controversies and nontroversies, reviews ‘1917’ (spoiler alert!), and watches ‘Valley of the Dolls’ for assigned viewing. (Assigned viewing for next week’s show: ‘The Squid and the Whale,’ in preparation for a discussion of ‘Marriage Story.’)

11: Uncut Gems Jan 06, 2020

This week, your hosts Sonny Bunch, Alyssa Rosenberg, and Peter Suderman discuss whether or not men should be required to see LITTLE WOMEN, review UNCUT GEMS, and take a look back at Sam Mendes’s SPECTRE.

10: 6 Underground Dec 30, 2019

On this episode of ACROSS THE MOVIE AISLE, your hosts Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter discuss Netflix's 6 UNDERGROUND.

9: Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker Dec 23, 2019

On this episode of ACROSS THE MOVIE AISLE, your hosts Sonny, Alyssa, and Peter give their takes on STAR WARS: RISE OF SKYWALKER.

8: Richard Jewell Dec 16, 2019

On this episode, Sonny, Peter, and Alyssa discuss RICHARD JEWELL.

7: Knives Out Dec 16, 2019

On this episode, Sonny, Peter, and Alyssa discuss KNIVES OUT. Assigned viewing for this week is AMERICAN SNIPER!

6: The Irishman Dec 16, 2019

On this episode, Sonny, Peter, and Alyssa discuss THE IRISHMAN. Assigned viewing for this week is BRICK!

5: Ford v Ferrari Dec 16, 2019

On this episode, Sonny, Peter, and Alyssa discuss FORD V FERRARI. Assigned viewing for this week is CASINO!

4: Doctor Sleep Dec 16, 2019

On this episode, Sonny, Peter, and Alyssa discuss DOCTOR SLEEP. Assigned viewing for this week is WALK THE LINE!

3: Terminator Dark Fate Dec 16, 2019

On this episode, Sonny, Peter, and Alyssa discuss TERMINATOR: DARK FATE. Assigned viewing for this week is THE SHINING!

2: Laundromat Dec 16, 2019

On this episode, Sonny, Peter, and Alyssa discuss THE LAUNDROMAT. Assigned viewing for this week is THE TERMINATOR!

1: Joker Dec 16, 2019

On the inaugural episode of Across the Movie Aisle, Sonny, Peter, and Alyssa discuss JOKER.

Across the Movie Aisle Trailer Nov 19, 2019

Welcome to Across the Movie Aisle! Join hosts Sonny Bunch (REBELLER), Alyssa Rosenberg (The Washington Post), and Peter Suderman (Reason) as they guide you through the week’s controversies (and nontroversies), discuss what’s new at the multiplex, and assign a classic from the REBELLER canon for viewing so you’re ready for the next week’s theatrical offerings.

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