Across the Movie Aisle

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

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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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

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