Across the Movie Aisle

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

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