Across the Movie Aisle

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected